In a traditionally quiet business week of the year, a group of engineers, pilots, flight specialists and aviation executives are currently getting ready for an exciting day. At 1130 New Zealand time tomorrow (2230 GMT / 1730 Eastern on 29 December), an Air New Zealand Boeing 747-400 will take off from Auckland on a two hour test flight. One of its four Rolls-Royce engines will be powered on a fuel blended from 50% Jet A1 and 50% jatropha biofuel.

The pilot will take the aircraft through a series of tests at different altitudes to ensure that the sustainable biofuel will perform as well as regular jet fuel under normal operating conditions. Aside from the technological and environmental advances this flight is demonstrating, it also highlights the importance of cooperation – in this case between Air New Zealand, Boeing, Honeywell UOP and Rolls-Royce. A model for other industries to follow.

I will be providing further details about this important test flight closer to take off in a few hours. In the meantime, Air New Zealand has prepared the following video about the biofuel flight that contains interesting information about the fuel being used: