‘Biofuels ok for flying’ claims NASA

Researchers from US space agency NASA have stated, after successful trials, that conventional jet fuel can be blended with biofuels to offer safe flying.

NASA scientists based at its research centre in California claim to have found ‘no noticeable difference’ to the performance of a DC-8 aircraft flying at 39,000ft using jet fuel and camelina oil.

Senior research scientist Bruce Anderson was quoted as saying the blend was ‘quite acceptable’ for use in commercial aircraft, but noted that ‘at $18 (€13) a gallon, camelina oil is currently far more expensive than traditional jet fuel, which is priced at around $4 a gallon’.

The studies also found emission savings of up to 30% as NASA plan further research next year, including looking at algae-based jet fuel.