First Flight of Jet Powered By Algae-Fuel 255
s31523 writes "Today a US airline carrier conducted a 90 minute test flight with one of its engines powered by a 50/50 blend of biofuel and normal aircraft fuel. This was the first flight by a US carrier after other airlines have reported trying similar flights. In February 2008, a Virgin 747 flew from London to Amsterdam partly using a fuel derived from a blend of Brazilian babassu nuts and coconuts. At the end of December, one engine of an Air New Zealand 747 was powered by a 50/50 blend of jatropha plant oil and standard A1 jet fuel."
Algae For Fuel Is Not Cool. (Score:1, Funny)
I wonder if... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Gross (Score:3, Funny)
It can only be an improvement. I'd prefer "malfunctioning waste treatment plant" over "jet exhaust".
I'm hoping it smells like "fish tank".
Re:I wonder if... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Great, but ... (Score:4, Funny)
I, for one, am dismayed that they were so quick to shoot down my idea of commercial aircraft being launched to their destinations with enormous slingshots. It requires no fuel, and would look wicked cool. Where's my grant, huh? Why do these jokers who want to fly planes using used grease from a McDonald's fryer get all the money, and I don't get squat?
All I need is a big tree and a really big elastic band at every airport, and I could solve this problem tomorrow!
Re:Algae For Fuel Is Not Cool. (Score:5, Funny)
Putting those millions, nay, billions of LIVING organisms in such terrible working conditions is a crime against algaenity.
Fixed that for you.
Re:Gross (Score:3, Funny)
If they were smart, they'd make it smell like coconut suntan lotion.
Mmmmm...
Re:Great, but ... (Score:3, Funny)
Agreed that your idea would look "wicked cool", however I see a couple of problems. In order to keep the acceleration low enough to avoid destroying the plane and killing the passengers during take-off, the band will have to be fairly soft and very long. Although if we can stretch it constantly over the entire length of a sharply inclined runway, that may be enough.
The second problem, however, is that the major technical hurdle will not be the launch. In order to stop the aircraft, you'll need a very large and very soft catcher's mitt at each airport to accommodate landings. I wish you the best of luck securing funding to pursue your new eco-friendly launch procedure, but I fear that you'll find an insurmountable hurdle at the other end.
Re:We've been over this before (Score:3, Funny)
"I don't see charging up some Li-Ion batteries to fly several hundred people from New York to London."
You're close ... we need .... Dilithium Crystals!
Re:commonly exaggerations about hemp (Score:3, Funny)
Sadly the supposed "efficiency" of hemp oil as a magical bio-fuel is a constant myth propogated by the pro-MJ crowd.
Those damn Michael Jackson fans and the crazy propaganda they spew!