Bio-Jumbo Cleared For Takeoff
by April Streeter, Gothenburg, Sweden 
on 01.15.08
In spite of all the bad news about first-generation biofuels, it's still a thrill to hear that Virgin Atlantic announced yesterday a 747 flown on a mixture of about 20 percent biofuel and the rest kerosene will lift off for a test flight in February, many months earlier than planned.
The passengerless Virgin flight from London to Amsterdam will be a Boeing 747-400 and will fly the approximately 1.5-hour flight on the alternative fuel, which Virgin spokesman Paul Charles wouldn't identify but said is from a "sustainable" source that doesn't compete with food or freshwater supplies. Algae, perhaps? Virgin moved up the time table for its biofuel pilot flight as initial engine testing results were better than expected, according to the company. Air New Zealand also plans test flights later this year, but biofuel-powered commercial flights are still supposedly a couple of years away. Via NYTimes
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A Thrill?! You really are joking, aren't you?
You really think that making any form of flying more respectable will do anything to make this planet a greener place? 20% biofuels, so that means 80% kerosene, so let's just suppose that it's a 20% cut in overall emissions. Ok? Now let's look at the source of the biofuel.
A "sustainable" source would mean no net transport emissions, no use of fertilisers, no loss of habitat, no reduction in photosythesis...are you getting this?
And let's just suppose that this "sustainable" source is better than kerosene. How many people will stop flying if they think that it is ok to carry on doing it because their flights are now greener? How many people who previously refused to fly because of the horrific greenhouse gas growth will now think again, and maybe take the odd Virgin flight?
Flying can NEVER be sustainable, so stop pretending it is green, in any way at all.
Keith