Iberia Airbus A320-211 EC-FLP (msn 266) MAD (Ariel Shocron), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Iberia (Madrid) and Repsol on October 3, 2011 staged Spain’s first commercial flight powered by biofuel. An Iberia Airbus A320 flying from Madrid to Barcelona burned some 2,800 kg. of a mixture of 75% conventional A-1 jet fuel and 25% biofuel derived from the camelina sativa plant. The use of the mixture brought a reduction of nearly 1,500 kg. of C02 emissions.
The second-generation biofuels is a mixture made by ASA of synthesized paraffin bio-kerosene produced by Honeywell-UOP and evaluated and certified by Repsol at its Technological Center, which allows an almost 20% reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases.
Camelina sativa is an inedible oil plant that grows widely and can be cultivated in Spain. Unlike other plants used for biofuels, camelina enriches the soil in which its is grown.
Iberia provided the aircraft, crew, handling services, etc. for the test, and used the Peugeot electric ground vehicles it is now testing for airport use.
Iberia also supplied the technical and maintenance services at Madrid Barajas airport. Together with the Airbus company and the engine manufacturers it closely monitored the technical and operational certification of this new biofuel.
Repsol produced and delivered the fuel, which was evaluated under high-performance conditions and approved at its research facility. The company has long experience in the development of biofuels at its Technological Center, one of the most advanced of its kind in Europe.
The flight was a part of Spain’s pioneering “Green Flight” program to advance in the use of biofuels in aviation.
The pictured Airbus A320-211 EC-FLP (msn 266) of Iberia prepares to arrive back at the Madrid hub.
Top Copyright Photo: Ariel Shocron.
Bottom Copyright Photo: Iberia.
Iberia Slide Show: CLICK HERE