'Green fuel' flight for Airbus A380 superjumbo
02.02.08
An Airbus A380 superjumbo, the world's largest passenger plane, has become the first commercial plane to fly on 'green' fuel. The plane flew from Bristol to France yesterday on a three hour test flight using a new synthetic fuel said to be cleaner and more efficient than traditional kerosene.
The A380 left Filton, near Bristol, on the first flight using GTL - Gas to Liquid - to power one of its four engines. The other three of the plane's four engines were powered by conventional kerosene. Airbus said the flight allowed it to see how the engine responded.
Shell supplied the GTL for the flight. It said on its website that for transport, it is 'a clear, clean fuel, virtually free of sulphur and aromatics and has a very high' combustion level. It also has 'significantly lower emissions of local pollutants, such as particulates, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides.' GTL also does not deplete the world's oil supply.
One of the two pilots on board the plane, which had 'Greener, cleaner, quieter, smarter' emblazoned on its fuselage, said there appeared to have been no difference between the conventional and GTL powered engines. Fabrice Bregier, Airbus chief executive, said: 'This is the beginning of a major research programme. This new fuel will be available relatively soon.'
The research programme was agreed last November by Airbus, engine maker Rolls Royce, Shell and Qatar Airways. Qatar holds about 15% of the world's known gas reserves and Qatar Airways is aiming to be the first carrier to use the new fuel. A refinery to produce the fuel is being built by Qatar Petroleum and from 2011, all Qatar Airways planes could be using it.
Tests with GTL might open the way to the use of bio-fuels but these are not available in commercial quantities as yet - something that will take some time, Mr. Bregier said. Airbus is planning a first flight powered by bio-fuels in 2009.
Add to: del.icio.us | Digg it | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit
To book a bristol airport hotels or bristol airport parking at the lowest price, click on these links to two great bristol airport parking and bristol airport hotels price comparison pages
