On Monday, October 29th, a jet was powered by a 100 percent renewable biofuel produced by Applied Research Associates (ARA) and Chevron Lumas Global (CLG). The two companies partnered with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and Agrisoma Biosciences to to test and analyze the ReadiJet drop-in jet fuel during flight that was produced with ARA’s ISOCONVERSION process.
On-ground tests had been completed prior to the flight and while in the air, additional tests were performed on the fuel powering the Falcon 20 against ASTM and military specifications. As the Falcon 20 flew over Canada’s capitol, a second aircraft was tailing behind collecting additional emissions data that will be analyzed and released in the next few weeks.
“Today, I flew the world’s first 100 percent biofuel flight,” said Tim Leslie, one of NRC’s pilots. “We have been working hard with our partners for many months, and it is most rewarding to see it all come together. It is truly inspiring to take this step towards an eco-friendly future.”
Canadian Ministers Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry, and the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology) said of the historic, one-hour flight, “I congratulate the aerospace team at the National Research Council of Canada for achieving today’s milestone in aviation history. This is a perfect example of how government and industry work together to bridge the gap between Canadian innovation and commercialization. The NRC, through our government’s investments, helps support the Canadian economy by enabling its partners to develop and bring effective sustainable energy solutions to market.”
Steven Fabijanski, president and CEO of Agrisoma, who provided the Resonance feedstock for the biofuel, said the flight represented the culmination of a strategic and significant effort within Canada to demonstrate leadership in green aviation. Chuck Red, ARA’s alternative fuels program lead added that the flight unveiled the future of alternative fuels and that is one in which innovation will lead the way to cost competitive, 100 percent alternative fuels in the near future.