Virgin Atlantic just flew a plane across the Atlantic with high fat, low emission fuel.
The Boeing 787 was not carrying any paying passengers but was run completely on sustainable aviation fuel. It's made up of tallow and other waste fats.
The British government helped fund the development and says this fuel cuts greenhouse gas emissions by 70%
wonder how the vegetarians and vegans will feel about flying on a Plane than may be using animal fat derived fuel.
In 2019 airlines used 95 BILLION gallons of fuel.
(https://www.statista.com/statistics/655057/fuel-consumption-of-airlines-worldwide/)
The 15 Million gallons of eco-fuel being produced currently is way short of enough.
I am keeping my XOM and CVXstock for a while longer.
As to the concern for vegans, zooplankton is a major component of the fossil fuels used now. Pretty much a small long dead animal, or a larger more recently dead animal. I do not see that there is a substantive difference.
wonder how the vegetarians and vegans will feel about flying on a Plane than may be using animal fat derived fuel.
I guess their vegan/vegetarian side will just be at war with their environmentalist side. What a dilemma. 😁
I'm vegan and it doesn't bother me at all. Of course I'm not a vegan for ethical reasons but am one for health reasons. I wear wool and it doesn't bother me to wear leather.
I think the mantra should be "Eat more frites!".
it was a gimmick. Serious environmentalist here.
Any guesses how much the UK paid Virgin Atlantic for one flight, empty except for Mr Branson and entourage, which then returns on normal jet fuel with a full passenger load?
One Million Pounds. One flight. Empty. That's £1,000,000. At today's exchange rate $US 1,269,309.40.
That could have gone a very long way in genuine environmental work instead of greenwashing.
Bah humbug
If the plane was delayed, or had to sit on the tarmac waiting to take off, or had to circle waiting to land, or had to sit and idle for some time awaiting an open gate after landing, would that fuel start to go rancid?
If this became the standard fuel, would there be a new Atkins Airline?
Cyn,
Sometimes those engines produce a smell that make some people think of deep fat fryers and food smells
So, In my best Homer Simpson voice I respond:
Hmm. Donuts!!!!
Hey, doric8, perhaps some additional rigging could be done to the engines, and if a pilot spotted a flock of geese or other birds, could suck them into the engine. A few seconds in hot oil at 600 miles per hour, and, presto … crispy drumsticks all around! Flights to/from Scotland could feature engine-fried Mars bars.
Hey, doric8, perhaps some additional rigging could be done to the engines, and if a pilot spotted a flock of geese or other birds, could suck them into the engine. A few seconds in hot oil at 600 miles per hour, and, presto … crispy drumsticks all around!
So that is why Sully landed in the Hudson, had the wrong fuel oil ?
Joe, Sully would’ve been reassured that, since oil floats on water, the plane was certain to stay afloat, regardless of the type.
If this catches on, budget airlines will, no doubt, switch to Crisco, while the more luxury-oriented operations will specify lard from Heritage breed hogs. Maybe suet from Waygu cattle?
I can now tell you the real reason Sully landed in the Hudson.....he had the experimental fuel on his plane. It smelled like cooking oil. The day he landed in the Hudson was a Thursday. With the smell he might have been thinking....."Hmm, it's Friday tomorrow. I need to get some fish."
On a serious note, Cape Air, a small airline that flight passengers around New England and the Caribbean, is working with a company to develop an all electric aircraft for its short flights.
https://www.capeair.com/about_us/future-of-electric-aviation.html
They're small, but it's a start. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day. It's takes time.
