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Orlando, FL – November 1, 2008
Green
Flight International
Worlds FIRST
Cross Country Biofuel-Powered Jet Flight
Green Flight International President and CEO Douglas Rodante and
Chief Pilot Carol Sugars became the first flight crew to
successfully cross the U.S. in a jet powered predominantly on
environmentally-friendly Biofuel.
The record-setting flight originated in
Reno, NV and concluded in Leesburg, FL on Nov 1, after a total
flight time of 11 hours, 13 minutes, flown at altitudes ranging
from 13,000 to 17,000 feet.
“This
transcontinental flight was distinctive in that 1,776 miles of
the 2,486 total miles flown were powered on 100% Biofuel,” said
Rodante. Only 710 miles of the flight were powered by a mixture
of 50% Biofuel and 50% standard jet fuel. The 50/50 fuel
mix was used to compare performance data and demonstrate the
capability of blending Biofuel with existing jet fuel supplies.
Rodante and
Sugars made aviation history in October 2007 when they became
the first crew to pilot a jet aircraft powered entirely on
Biofuel. The pair has once again demonstrated the
viability of renewable fuels in aviation by completing their
more recent Biofuel-powered coast-to-coast flight. “These
flights prove that we have the capability of supplementing our
energy requirements with safe, environmentally-friendly
alternatives to petroleum,” said Rodante. “And the Biofuel
is produced in the U.S., which essentially negates our
dependency on foreign fuel supplies.”
The Federal
Aviation Administration has expressed an interest in using the
Orlando-based Green Flight’s Biofuel test program as a template
to assess future generations of aviation fuels. “There is
absolutely no room for error in a single engine jet aircraft
operating on 100% Biofuel,” said Chief Pilot
Sugars. “The extended cross-country experimental flight operated
to stringent specifications required by the FAA in order to
ensure public safety.”
Green Flight
International’s flight was sponsored in part by Erie, PA-based
companies, Lake Erie Biofuels, LLC., and Logistics Plus, for
assuming fuel supply and transport responsibilities; and
Lockheed Martin Corporation’s [NYSE: LMT] Missiles and Fire
Control business unit of Orlando, Fla., provided laboratory
testing and support.
The Green
Flight team is dedicated to continue their work in promoting the
use of eco-friendly renewable fuels in aviation, and is
currently developing another record-breaking flight.
RENO, NV - October 5, 2007
Green
Flight International
Worlds FIRST
Ever Biofuel-Powered Jet Flight
Aviation history was made
earlier this week in the high desert at the
Reno-Stead Airport when an L-29 military aircraft
piloted by Carol Sugars and Douglas Rodante
succeeded in completing the world’s first jet flight
powered solely by 100% biodiesel fuel. The
Czechoslovakian-made aircraft is rated to fly on a
variety of fuels including heating oil, making it
the preferred platform for testing biodiesel in jet
engines.
The experimental test flights were conducted
starting with a blend of jet fuel and biodiesel. The
engine data was measured and the performance was
evaluated and found acceptable for continued use,
eventually resulting in the landmark flight using
100% renewable biodiesel fuel. According to Chief
Pilot Carol Sugars who wrote and conducted the test
program, “As we gradually increased the amount of
biodiesel in the fuel blend, the data confirmed that
the aircraft continued to perform well, giving me
the confidence to transition to 100% biodiesel.”
Flight tests were conducted up to an altitude of
17,000 feet showing no significant difference in
performance compared to conventional jet fuel.
“This test program between Green Flight
International and Biodiesel Solutions was a unique
and exciting opportunity to show what can be done in
renewable fuels.” said Rudi Wiedemann, president of
Biodiesel Solutions. “The very idea of using 100%
biodiesel to fly a jet aircraft makes a compelling
statement about the possibilities for the future of
renewable energy and a healthier planet.”
Out of concern for our global environment, Green
Flight International was conceived by Douglas
Rodante in April 2006 to serve as a platform for future
development in the use of environmentally-friendly
fuels in aviation and elsewhere. “It is imperative
that the global community take immediate steps to
reduce our carbon footprint, because we can no
longer afford to wait while our environment
continues to degrade.” said Rodante. “By
implementing even a small amount of bio-degradable
fuel in our transportation system we can
significantly reduce the CO2 (greenhouse gasses) and NOx (the precursor to smog) that contribute to
global warming.”
In the near future Green Flight International
expects to announce plans for another
record-breaking aviation event. They invite aviation
and biofuel enthusiasts to inquire about how they
might be able to participate in this exciting
venture. For more information contact Doug Rodante
at or
doug@greenflightinternational.com .
Mount Dora, Florida - March 20, 2007
Green
Flight International
Worlds FIRST
Cross Country Biofuel-Powered Jet Flight
Announced Today
Commercial Aircraft Pilot, Douglas Rodante has just
purchased an L-29 Russian Military aircraft located in
Reno, Nevada. Douglas, who is the President of the
Orlando Apopka Airport, Green Flight International and
Co-Founder of Angel Flight Kids, will use the aircraft
to give charity rides to disabled and terminally ill
children. Besides never having had a ride in a military
jet aircraft, most of these kids have never been able to
travel in commercial airliners due to their illnesses.
Doug’s passion isn’t just with the local children, he
holds a deep desire to contribute to the global
community by providing solutions that will effect not
only current , but future generations to come. He has
been working with cutting edge fuel companies who have
developed new processes of deriving Bio Fuels for
commercial use. By combining a jet fuel/bio fuel mix,
Doug hopes to significantly decrease the carbon and smog
producing NOX output of his jet engine.
His cross country flight will be the first of its kind
to represent the possibilities of reducing green house
gasses by setting a “GREEN” example to the aviation
community. Initial studies conducted at Baylor
University have indicated that there is a possibility of
cleaning these fuels up. Doug will meet with Professor
Max Shuck at Baylor during his journey. There will be
ground testing as well as high altitude flight test with
the jet in order to confirm the carbon reduction theory.
Preliminary fuel tests will be conducted by Lockheed
Martin.
The Two Thousand mile cross country flight will also
encompass specialized flight training for Doug as the
Federal Aviation Administration requires a type rating
to fly the war bird. They also have to grant permission
to fly outside of the aircraft’s home base due to the
government restrictions on geographical boundaries of
flight.
This record breaking flight is actually a pre-curser to
a much bolder endeavor. Doug plans to fly a Lear jet
powered on a more refined bio fuel, completely around
the world later next year. His advisors on the project
include Bill Lear, Jr., former CEO of Lear Inc. and
Astronaut, Story Mustgrave. Doug has also solicited
several unnamed celebrity pilots he has invited on this
historical flight.
“We can prevent the emission of millions of tons of
pollutants per year into our atmosphere by implementing
a few simple measures into our existing system.” The
cross country flight will originate in Nevada and final
touch down will be in Florida where the aircraft will
then give the first “Angel Flight” child the ride of a
lifetime.
The Flight will be filmed in High Definition and
distributed Internationally
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