A Florida pilot is hoping to fly a Learjet around the world on biodiesel in the next year. Douglas Rodante and his group Green Flight flew a Czech-built L-29 to about 16,000 feet in Nevada last October on biodiesel and is hoping the FAA will let him take the same aircraft on an eight-stop trip across the U.S. later this year. Hell need the frequent fuel stops because the L-29 was purposely built with short range to discourage defections. It was also designed to run on a variety of fuels, including home heating oil, which made it a preferred choice for the first flights. By the end of the year or early next he hopes to attempt the Learjet circumnavigation and there are some technical challenges awaiting. Biodiesel is often made from recycled cooking oil, which congeals when it gets cold. Rodante says tank heaters will be added to the Lear and he may have to add chemicals to prevent the fuel from thickening. As a last resort hell add kerosene to thin the fuel. He claims that if the cooking oil mixture alone is used, the Lear will release up to 80 percent less pollution than if it was burning jet fuel. The FAA is keeping a close eye on the project and Rodante said he needs some sponsors to pull it off. If it launches, Rodante, a TV producer by trade, plans to make a documentary.
Learjet Biodiesel World Flight Planned
Key Takeaways:
- Pilot Douglas Rodante plans to circumnavigate the world in a Learjet powered by biodiesel, aiming to reduce pollution by up to 80%.
- His group, Green Flight, has successfully completed test flights using biodiesel in an L-29 jet and plans a U.S. trip with it before the Learjet attempt by early next year.
- The project faces technical challenges, such as preventing biodiesel from congealing in cold temperatures, which will require tank heaters, chemical additives, or kerosene.
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