Boeing and Virgin Atlantic to work on biofuels for aircraft
Boeing and Virgin Atlantic yesterday announced a deal for the airline to purchase 15 of the new 787-9 aircraft and form a new environmental partnership. The first 787 is expected to start final assembly in the next few weeks and will take to the skies for the first time later this year. It has been the fastest selling new airliner ever at least in part because of a twenty percent improvement in the fuel efficiency compared to existing aircraft.
The environmental work between the two companies will focus on developing biofuels that can be used as commercial jet fuel. The first demonstration is scheduled for next year using one of Virgin's Boeing 747-400s and also includes engine supplier General Electric. Virgin and Boeing are also studying how to update ground operations at airports to reduce fuel use during idling and taxiing.
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[Source: Boeing]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ds 10:00AM (2/26/2008)
Watch Richard Branson talk exclusively about his new biofuel planes.
http://www.digitalnewsagency.com/story/view/739-virgin-atlantic-becomes-the-worlds-first-airline/all
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1985 Gripen 5:51PM (4/25/2007)
I remember when Branson's Virgin Fuel was announced he mentioned they were working on a biofuel which could hopefully eventually be used in jets. At the time there was speculation it might be biobutanol.
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/business2/business2_archive/2006/08/01/8382250/index.htm
"It will be called Virgin Fuel, yes! It's not ethanol-based as such, but it'll be a clean fuel. And if we've got it right, it could be a very important breakthrough. We think this fuel will work in cars and trucks and trains within a year. And we're hoping that it might work in commercial jet engines within five years, possibly sooner. So it will be able to work in Virgin Atlantic planes one day."
Business 2.0 magazine, October 2006
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Murc 12:30AM (4/26/2007)
I like the Boeing 787, its the best looking commercial airliner (soon to be) "out there".
But the "cool factor"...It ranks 3rd...behind the concorde, and the Comet.
But I do like it, the fuel efficiency is good and all, but the interior is far better looking, and not to mention the windows are quiet a bit bigger...finaly.
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