Japan Airlines and Non-edible Biofuel

In February, Virgin Atlantic successfully conducted the first flight of a commercial aircraft partially powered with biofuel.  One of its engines had a mix of coconut and babassu oil.

Now, Japan Airlines is planning to test fly a 747 which will have one of its four engines powered by a non-edible biofuel mixed with kerosene.  The other three engines will have normal fuel.

They are using a non-edible biofuel to avoid driving up the prices of a potential food source.

I think this is a great example of how capitalism works.  Now that the idea of "going green" has reached the mainstream consumer, and gas prices are high, private enterprise is dealing with the situation - instead of bureaucrats.

I also like that JAL is using the Buddhist concept of the "middle way" - and using one engine out of four for the biofuel.  This is better than taking an "all or nothing" approach, and not doing anything until the technology is perfected enough that they would use all four engines.

Finally, it is good to see that they are avoiding the debacle over corn ethanol.  That was pushed on us by Midwest politicians.  As a result, grain and livestock prices went up.