Plan unveiled to make jet fuel from Canadian forestry waste

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The world’s largest aircraft manufacturer is collaborating with Canada’s aviation industry, the University of British Columbia and Amsterdam-based SkyNRG to turn forestry waste into sustainable aviation biofuel.

The project was announced Wednesday at the 2015 Canadian Bioeconomy Conference in Vancouver.

Boeing has in the past partnered with the Abu Dhabi-based Masdar Institute and the Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer to advance sustainable aviation biofuel development.

Under the latest initiative, a consortium that includes Boeing, Bombardier, Air Canada, WestJet, research institutions and industry partners will assess whether forestry waste could also be harnessed to produce sustainable aviation biofuel, Boeing said.

Thermochemical processing will be used for this, the company added.

“Sustainable aviation biofuel will play a critical role in reducing aviation’s carbon emissions over the long term,” said Julie Felgar, managing director of environmental strategy and integration at Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

“Canada is in a terrific position to leverage its sustainable forests to make environmental progress for its aviation industry and other transport sectors.”

Boeing said a 2015 company-sponsored study by UBC had found that aviation biofuel made from forest waste could meet 10 per cent, or about 175 million liters, of British Columbia’s annual jet fuel demand.

The Green Aviation Research and Development Network of Canada is funding the project as part of a portfolio of investments in technologies to reduce aviation’s carbon emissions.

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that using sustainably produced biofuel will reduce lifecycle carbon dioxide emissions by 50 to 80 per cent compared to conventional petroleum fuel.

The images are courtesy of Boeing, UBC and GARDN.

Van Gogh adds more colour to Keukenhof

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Visiting Keukenhof is an exhilarating experience any year.

This year, especially so.

The famous Dutch park has declared 2015 the Van Gogh Year, marking 125 years since the death of the artist.

A 250-square-metre flower mosaic of Vincent van Gogh’s self-portrait will be the highlight when Keukenhof opens on March 20 for the 66^th edition of the show.

Keukenhof, 1997 – from my family album.

Keukenhof, about 40 kilometres south-west of Amsterdam, is the world’s biggest spring garden, showcasing more than seven million flowers for eight weeks.

The park calls it a “living catalogue” for the Dutch floriculture industry.

Covering an area of more than 30 hectares, it is a breathtaking show of rows upon rows of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths as far as the eye can see.

It all began in 1949, when a small group of flower bulb exporters decided to use the garden outside the Keukenhof Castle in the town of Lisse as an exhibition ground. The first public show was held the next year, and attracted more than 200,000 visitors.

This year, some 100 companies and 500 flower growers are participating.

In 2014, Keukenhof attracted a record one million visitors, many of them from North America and Asia.

The park is easily accessible by public transport from Amsterdam.

From Toronto, Dutch national carrier KLM flies directly to Amsterdam while several other airlines offer flights with convenient stopovers.

Air Canada is adding Amsterdam to its international network in June with six flights a week. That is, of course, too late for this year’s show.

The Van Gogh photo is courtesy of Keukenhof.

 

Seattle museum gets a Dreamliner

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Seattle’s Museum of Flight is celebrating a rare acquisition — one of the original Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner test airplanes.

It was donated this week to the museum by the American manufacturer, also based in Seattle.

Known as ZA003, the airplane was the third 787-8 produced by Boeing.

In donating the aircraft, the company cited its unique past.

Boeing said the ZA003 had circumnavigated the globe multiple times in 2011 and 2012, first as part of test and certification program and later during the Dream Tour, which introduced the 787 to the world.

“This revolutionary airplane caps the museum’s collection of historic commercial airplanes, beginning with our 1932 Boeing 247, which was the first all-metal, modern airliner,” said Doug King, president and CEO of the museum.

“It was followed by our 1969 prototype 747, the first jumbo jet, and now with the first composite airliner, the 787. It’s an incredible addition to our comprehensive display.”

One of the largest air and space museums in the world, the Museum of Flight attracts more than a half million visitors annually.

As of last month, Boeing had won orders for 1,050 Dreamliners from nearly 60 customers. More than 200 airplanes have been delivered so far.

Major Dreamliner operators include All Nippon Airways, Air India, Air New Zealand, Japan Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines and Air Canada.

Photo shows visitors waiting to see the Dreamliner at the museum Saturday. Courtesy: Boeing 

787 receives 330-minute certification

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The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner (from my collection).

Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner has received regulatory approval for extended operations (ETOPS), which the company said today would allow airlines to launch additional routes.

“The move will allow 787s to be operated up to 330 minutes (51/2 hours) from a landing field and signals continued confidence in the airplane’s technical capabilities,” Boeing said.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration had already allowed the airliner to operate up to 180 minutes (three hours) away from a landing field since they began flying in 2011.

“We’re delighted that this capability, which was designed into the airplane from the very beginning, has been certified,” said Larry Loftis, vice-president of the 787 program.

Boeing has received orders for 1,030 Dreamliners from 60 customers and delivered 146 aircraft.

Air Canada, which has ordered 37 Dreamliners, received its first airplane this month.

Boeing 737 MAX orders top 2,000

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The Boeing 737 MAX. Boeing photo.

Less than three years after Boeing decided to build the 737 MAX, the company is reporting that orders for the single-aisle aircraft has topped 2,000, worth US$209 billion at list price.

That is faster than any other Boeing airplane in history, it said.

“Two thousand orders at this stage in the program is a remarkable achievement,” said Keith Leverkuhn, vice-president of the 737 MAX Program.

The final assembly of the aircraft will begin this summer.

Launch customer Southwest Airlines is expected to fly the airplane in the third quarter of 2017. It has ordered a total of 200 aircraft.

Other major customers include WestJet and Air Canada with 65 and 61 airplanes respectively.

 

Air Canada gets 1st Dreamliner

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Air Canada’s first 787 Dreamliner during a test flight. Boeing photo.

Air Canada has taken delivery of the first of 37 Boeing 787 Dreamliners ordered by the airline.

The airplane took off this morning from Boeing’s airfield in Everett, Wash., on its delivery flight to Toronto (YYZ) after a handover ceremony attended by senior Air Canada and Boeing executives.

“The 787 Dreamliner will immediately make a dramatic improvement to our fleet capabilities,” said CEO Calin Rovinescu.

“The range and economics unlock new destinations for customers, who will love the innovative look and comfort onboard.”

Air Canada’s first Dreamliner will be used on Haneda (HND) and Tel Aviv  (TLV) routes from July.

“The 787 will enable Air Canada to connect Canada and the world, while improving the flying experience of passengers as well as the company’s bottom line,” said Brad McMullen, vice-president of North America sales at Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

Air Canada’s first 787 features three classes – an International Business Class with 20 seats, a Premium Economy Class with 21 seats and the regular Economy Class with 210 seats.

The airline is organizing a media tour of the airplane at Toronto airport on Tuesday.

Boeing has received orders for 1,031 Dreamliners from operators around the world and delivered 140 so far.