World First as Canadian Jet Flies on Biofuel

The world's first civilian flight powered solely by biofuel took off last month over Canada's capital, heralding potentially cleaner and more sustainable aviation travel in the future.

Published

7 months ago

Categories

Technology

Topics

Aviation

Places

Canada, Ottawa

Transcript

SCRIPT: This jet is taking off for an hour-long flight -- with nothing but fuel made from mustard seeds in its tanks. That’s a worldwide first. Trailing just behind is a second plane, with sensors that pick up the particles emitted by the first. A camera mounted in the nose of the chasing plane films the biofueled jet's handling in the air. For its pilot, there's no difference between flying on biofuel or jet fuel. SOUNDBITE 1 Paul Kissmann (man), Biofuel Jet Test Pilot (French, 5 sec): "For us, it's clear. It was the same. But we have to see the results of the analysis." These are the carinata mustard seeds that fueled the Falcon 20 plane. Oil is extracted from the seeds and converted to biofuel. SOUNDBITE 2 Steven Fabijanski, CEO Agrisoma Biosciences Inc. (English, 19 sec): "It turns into essentially drop-in fuel that looks and acts identical to conventional jet fuel. The farmers that we use to grow this seed are farmers that have land that is not particularly good for food production. By growing this seed you actually enhance or improve the land for eventual food production." Carinata's mix of carbon and nitrogen can actually improve soil fertility. And using it to make jet fuel will not impact the food chain the way fuel from corn or canola does -- because the oil from this mustard seed is industrial, not edible. Scientists are analyzing the biofuel engine particles to see if carinata produces lower emissions than other fuels. SOUNDBITE 3 Malcolm Imray (man), Airworthiness Engineer, National Research Council Canada (French, 12 sec): "The air goes into this opening to measure the chemicals that are produced by the engines of the other plane." The results won't be ready for a few weeks -- but the Canadian scientists are already toasting the success of the biofueled Falcon 20's maiden flight. They say it's a cost-effective solution for the future, as well, because mustard seed fuel could cost the same as kerosene-based jet fuel within just a few years. --------------- SHOTLIST: OTTAWA, OCTOBER 29, 2012, SOURCE: AFPTV - Falcon 20 jet taking off at the Macdonald-Cartier International airport - Images from camera on following plane - Wide shot two planes flying/day - Jet landing at airport - Pilots leave plane - SOUNDBITE 1 Paul Kissmann (man) - CU vials containing mustard seed, oil, fuel - wide shot of the Falcon 20 on the tarmac - Wide shot jet on tarmac - SOUNDBITE 2 Steven Fabijanski (man) - MS wind sock - CU clover, grass at airport - WS Falcon 20 and following jet on tarmac - MS following plane with sensor, camera - CU sign Institute for Aerospace Research - Malcolm Imray (man) moving around plane with sensors - MS sensor - SOUNDBITE 3 Malcolm Imray (man) - CU sensor intake - MS crew uncorking sparkling beverage - CU pouring drinks - MS crew members - MS crew drinking