biofuel.jpg
A Boeing 787 flight between Everett and Tokyo was the first transpacific flight powered in part using biofuel. (Image courtesy of Boeing)

Boeing 787 Dreamliner makes first transpacific flight using biofuel

BY Tim Haeck  on April 18, 2012 @ 5:13 am (Updated: 6:42 am - 4/18/12 )

A Boeing Dreamliner flight made history this week. The flight between Everett and Tokyo was the first transpacific flight powered in part using biofuel.

"The 787 is the most environmentally progressive jetliner flying today, combining fuel efficiency and comfort with reduced carbon emissions," said Billy Glover, Commercial Airplanes Vice President of Environment and Aviation Policy.

Powered by the biofuel, made up mainly of used cooking oil, the 787 emitted 30 percent fewer emissions than a typical plane of that size. Boeing said 10 percent of that reduction is due to the use of biofuel, the remaining reduction is due to the design of the Dreamliner.

Boeing's Terrance Scott said biofuels are efficient and have promise as an alternative to petroleum-based jet fuel.

"Aviation biofuels is one of those areas where we thought something would take ten years to do. We did it in two," said Scott. "That's very exciting."

Scott said Boeing is joining with two dozen major airlines to develop alternative fuel sources.

"One of the biggest operating expenditures now for an airline is the cost of fuel," said Scott. "If we can help give them alternatives, hopefully in the very near future, hopefully that will bring down the cost of travel by removing some of that fluctuation that you see in the price of oil out in the markets today."

Scott said the industry goal is to have all aviation fuel contain one percent biofuel by 2015.

Tim Haeck, KIRO Radio Reporter
Tim Haeck is a news reporter with KIRO Radio. While Tim is one of our go-to, no-nonsense reporters, he also has a sensationally dry sense of humor and it will surprise some to learn he is a weekend warrior.
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Comments (4)


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  • hpygolkyone wrote...
    That's Kind Of Cool.............
    April 18, 2012 5:58 am
    Now all we need to do is plow under the Amazon rain forest and all of North America to grow enough corn so we can all fly cheaper on our vacations.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • jstumbo wrote...
    Exactly...
    April 18, 2012 8:45 am
    There are not enough McDonald's in the world to produce bio-fuel for very many vehicles. That means that we would have to switch production of most farmland from food, to bio-fuel.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • deltta wrote...
    But think
    April 18, 2012 9:57 am
    A world that smells like frenchfries. Peace in out time?????
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    Make fuel out of dung . . . .
    April 18, 2012 10:14 am
    we have all we need in government.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }