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Orlando,
FL – November 1, 2008
Green Flight International
Worlds FIRST Trans
Contential
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 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
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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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