Boeing, ANZ Planning Biofuel Flight Test.

Aviation Week (11/13, Warwick) reports Air New Zealand (ANZ) "and Boeing have set Dec. 3 as the date for the first flight test of a sustainable bio-derived replacement for jet fuel." During the test, a 747-400 will "burn a 50:50 blend of conventional jet fuel and a bio-jet fuel derived from jatropha, using a process developed by Honeywell company UOP." Boeing "says the...flight will be the first to use a biofuel that is commercially viable, sustainably sourced and meets or exceeds the performance requirements for a drop-in replacement for conventional jet fuel." Boeing "hopes the...flight, and others planned next year by Japan Airlines and Continental, will persuade government to make funding and incentives available for further research and development of commercial-scale production of bio-jet fuel."
The New Zealand Herald (11/13, Bradley) reports ANZ will put its jatropha-based "biofuel through a punishing two-hour trial over the Hauraki Gulf" this December, "hoping it will emerge as the 'holy grail' of alternatives to traditional jet kerosene. Ground testing of the...fuel has shown it is lighter and has more energy than existing fuel." The Herald adds, "The airline industry is anxious to develop a fossil fuel alternative for its long term prosperity."
The UK's Register (11/13, Page) reports the "juice to be used in next month's...test," however, "will be made from jatropha nuts." The nut "is said by its advocates to be capable of growing usefully in arid regions unsuitable for food crops." Australia's Sydney Morning Herald (11/13) also notes the December test flight, as does Ben Mutzabuagh, in his "Today In The Sky" blog for USA Today (11/13).