GreenFlight close to jet-A biofuel

Apopka, Fla.-based GreenFlight International continues to refine its “first generation” biofuel for jets and plans to conduct the first biofuel transcontinental flight using this blend within the next 60 days, company founder Douglas Rodante said. At press time, the company was running a turbine engine on a ground test stand with different blends of soy and animal-fat oils to find the cleanest-burning jet fuel that meets ASTM standards. Once Rodante finishes these tests, he and chief pilot Carol Sugars will fly an L-29 fueled by the jet-A biofuel from Reno, Nev., to Florida, with a possible stop at EAA AirVenture later this month. Longer term, Rodante is working to develop a “second generation” biofuel jet-A alternative derived from algae. He’ll then use this fuel blend to fly a business jet around the world.