United Conducts First Flight With Synthetic Fuels
Apr 30, 2010, 11:23 am
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United Conducts First Flight With Synthetic Fuels
Title: United Airlines Conducts First Commercial Flight in U.S. Using Synthetic Jet Fuel
Date(s): 30-Apr-2010 1:04 PM
For a complete listing of our news releases, please click here
CHICAGO, Apr 30, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --United Airlines today completed the first flight by a U.S. commercial
airline using natural gas synthetic jet fuel, demonstrating United's
commitment to the advancement of alternative fuels in commercial
aviation using fuel that is safe and approved for use in commercial
aircraft.
"This flight confirms our assumptions about how this fuel performs on a
commercial aircraft and is the next step in our effort to stimulate
competition in the aviation fuel supply chain, promote energy security,
environmental benefits, and the creation of green jobs," said Joseph
Kolshak, United Airlines senior vice president of operations. "United
continues to support the use of alternative fuels, and we urge the U.S.
government and the investment community to further support critical
energy opportunities."
The engineering validation flight was conducted using certified
synthetic jet fuel (RenJet(R)), produced by Rentech, Inc. (NYSE
AMEX: RTK) and approved for commercial use, in a 40/60 mix with
conventional Jet A fuel in one of two engines on an Airbus 319 aircraft.
The aircraft departed Denver International Airport at approximately 8:15
a.m. MDT and climbed to an altitude of 39,000 feet where the onboard
team collected data on the performance of the fuel during several
maneuvers, including taxi, takeoff, climb, cruise, auxiliary power unit
start, descent and approach. The fuel, derived from natural gas and
converted to liquid fuel, is approved by ASTM International, the
international technical standards organization, and is safe for use on
passenger flights. It is a drop-in fuel, which means that it can be used
in existing engines with no modifications required.
Captain Joseph Burns, United Airlines managing director, Technology and
Flight Test, led a team of 19 engineers and observers on board the
flight. Results and analysis of the performance and environmental
benefits of the synthetic jet fuel and the aircraft are expected within
the next 10 days.
Last year, United along with more than 15 other domestic and
international passenger and cargo carriers signed Memorandums of
Understanding that are intended to serve as a framework for future
supply agreements for certified synthetic jet fuel and for jet fuel
derived from camelina oil, a next-generation biofuel feedstock.
"Today's engineering validation flight is a significant step forward for
the commercial aviation industry," said D. Hunt Ramsbottom, president
and CEO of Rentech. "We are proud to collaborate with United Airlines to
demonstrate the viability of certified synthetic jet fuel that delivers
on performance and safety expectations required by commercial airlines,
along with environmental benefits that exceed that of conventional jet
fuel."
http://ir.united.com/phoenix.zhtml?c...753&highlight=
Date(s): 30-Apr-2010 1:04 PM
For a complete listing of our news releases, please click here
CHICAGO, Apr 30, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --United Airlines today completed the first flight by a U.S. commercial
airline using natural gas synthetic jet fuel, demonstrating United's
commitment to the advancement of alternative fuels in commercial
aviation using fuel that is safe and approved for use in commercial
aircraft.
"This flight confirms our assumptions about how this fuel performs on a
commercial aircraft and is the next step in our effort to stimulate
competition in the aviation fuel supply chain, promote energy security,
environmental benefits, and the creation of green jobs," said Joseph
Kolshak, United Airlines senior vice president of operations. "United
continues to support the use of alternative fuels, and we urge the U.S.
government and the investment community to further support critical
energy opportunities."
The engineering validation flight was conducted using certified
synthetic jet fuel (RenJet(R)), produced by Rentech, Inc. (NYSE
AMEX: RTK) and approved for commercial use, in a 40/60 mix with
conventional Jet A fuel in one of two engines on an Airbus 319 aircraft.
The aircraft departed Denver International Airport at approximately 8:15
a.m. MDT and climbed to an altitude of 39,000 feet where the onboard
team collected data on the performance of the fuel during several
maneuvers, including taxi, takeoff, climb, cruise, auxiliary power unit
start, descent and approach. The fuel, derived from natural gas and
converted to liquid fuel, is approved by ASTM International, the
international technical standards organization, and is safe for use on
passenger flights. It is a drop-in fuel, which means that it can be used
in existing engines with no modifications required.
Captain Joseph Burns, United Airlines managing director, Technology and
Flight Test, led a team of 19 engineers and observers on board the
flight. Results and analysis of the performance and environmental
benefits of the synthetic jet fuel and the aircraft are expected within
the next 10 days.
Last year, United along with more than 15 other domestic and
international passenger and cargo carriers signed Memorandums of
Understanding that are intended to serve as a framework for future
supply agreements for certified synthetic jet fuel and for jet fuel
derived from camelina oil, a next-generation biofuel feedstock.
"Today's engineering validation flight is a significant step forward for
the commercial aviation industry," said D. Hunt Ramsbottom, president
and CEO of Rentech. "We are proud to collaborate with United Airlines to
demonstrate the viability of certified synthetic jet fuel that delivers
on performance and safety expectations required by commercial airlines,
along with environmental benefits that exceed that of conventional jet
fuel."
http://ir.united.com/phoenix.zhtml?c...753&highlight=
