TOKYO —

Japan Airlines Corp said Monday it will conduct test flights using biofuel later in the current fiscal year in cooperation with such concerns as U.S. aircraft maker Boeing Co. The first test of its kind in Asia will involve a Boeing 747-300 with one of its four engines powered with a mix of biofuel and conventional aviation fuel, JAL said.
   
While the remaining three engines will run on conventional fuel, the tests will check whether the aircraft can fly normally. The biofuel for the test will be made from nonfood plants such as algae, now that production of biofuels made from corn and other food materials is being blamed for food shortages.

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  nisegaijin at 10:52 AM JST - 24th June

  I think this is too much risk considering long term negative effect biofuel tends to have on the engines. Might be interesting to see cargo planes fly on that. if it's cheaper that is.

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