Air New Zealand says its flight test of a second-generation biofuel’s mix turned out successfully. The trial paves the way for further exploration of renewable, non-food stuff alternatives for commercial aviation.A 50/50 blend of jatropha (a plant that produces seeds from which oil is derived) and traditional JetA1 fuel powered Air New Zealand’s largest craft, a Boeing 747-400. To be specific, the blend powered one of the craft’s four Rolls-Royce RB211 engines.

(more…)