Boeing 747 makes trans-Atlantic biofuel flight
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Boeing’s new 747-8 Freighter flew into the Paris Air Show earlier this week powered partially by renewable energy. The flight marked the world’s first trans-Atlantic crossing of a commercial jetliner using a biofuel. Each of the aircraft’s four GE GEnx-2B engines was powered by a blend of 15% camelina-based biofuel mixed with 85% traditional jet kerosene.
“This historic flight is a boost to aviation’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and improve
efficiency in all phases of our industry,” said 747-8 Vice President and General Manager, Elizabeth Lund. “And the 747-8 Freighter fits in well with these efforts by bringing huge improvements in fuel efficiency, lower carbon emissions and less noise.”
Camelina, the plant source used to create the biofuel, was grown in the northern US state of Montana and processed by Honeywell’s UOP. Boeing did not need to make any changes to the aircraft, its engines or operating procedures prior to departure.
The aircraft will leave Paris tomorrow evening (22 June) and fly to Cargolux headquarters at Luxembourg for a two-day visit. Cargolux is scheduled to take delivery of the first 747-8 Freighter to enter service this summer.
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