Continental operates 737 biofuel test flight using jatropha and algae

Continental Airlines 737-800 took off from Houston Intercontinental yesterday afternoon and flew for approximately 1 hr. 45 min. with the No. 2 CFM56-7B powered by a biofuel blend including algae oil supplied by Sapphire Energy and jatropha oil provided by Terasol Energy. The flight follows Air New Zealand's 747-400 test flight last week that featured one engine powered by a jatropha blend (ATWOnline, Jan. 6).

The CO aircraft burned 3,600 lb. of 50/50 mix of jet fuel and biofuel in one engine and 3,700 lb. of standard jet fuel in the other, officials told the Houston Chronicle. Pilots performed a midflight engine shutdown and restart, among other maneuvers. Flight was conducted in partnership with Boeing, GE Aviation/CFM International and Honeywell subsidiary UOP.