TagAlternative Fuels(33)

The Farm to Fly Act is a proposed piece of U.S. legislation aimed at promoting Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) by expanding their eligibility within USDA bioenergy programs, encouraging federal agency collaboration, and establishing a standardized definition of SAF. The bill seeks to create new markets for American farmers by connecting agricultural crops and biomass to aviation fuel production, while also boosting rural economic development and domestic energy security. It is backed by a broad coalition of agricultural organizations, renewable fuel producers, and major U.S. airlines.

A May 2024 report by the Institute for Policy Studies argues that the private jet industry uses 'Sustainable Aviation Fuels' (SAF) as a marketing tool to deflect criticism of its environmental impact, rather than as a genuine climate solution. The report finds that SAF is often not truly sustainable, is limited in supply, comes at high cost, and has been shaped by industry lobbying to weaken meaningful standards. The authors recommend stronger fuel taxes, transparency requirements, bans on short-hop flights, and greater investment in public transportation as more effective alternatives.

In April 2024, a broad coalition of aviation, agriculture, and biofuel organizations wrote to House and Senate Agriculture Committee leaders urging them to include sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) provisions in the Farm Bill. The letter specifically supports the Farm to Fly Act, which would expand USDA energy programs to recognize SAF feedstocks from American farms, promote collaboration between agriculture and aviation sectors, and establish a common emissions measurement standard. The signatories argue this would benefit U.S. farmers, rural economies, and the aviation industry's goal of producing 3 billion gallons of SAF by 2030.

Virgin Atlantic completed the first transatlantic commercial flight powered entirely by Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), made primarily from used cooking oil, flying from London Heathrow to New York JFK. While supporters say SAF can cut emissions by over 90% compared to conventional jet fuel and works with existing aircraft, critics argue it is a greenwashing effort due to limited fuel supply and potential land-use conflicts. SAF currently makes up less than 1% of global jet fuel and costs roughly three times more than conventional fuel, leaving its large-scale viability uncertain.

New Vision Aviation President Joseph Oldham presents an overview of flying electric aircraft, drawing on operational experience accumulated since receiving their aircraft in March 2018, including over 220 flight hours and 3,000 nautical miles traveled without incident. The organization has conducted evaluations with FAA test pilots and engineers from multiple aviation companies developing advanced electric aircraft. A notable 2021 cross-country flight demonstrated solar-only charging capabilities, covering 227.9 nautical miles at an average fuel economy of 3.43 nm/kWh.

Swift Fuels, a West Lafayette, Indiana-based company, presented on unleaded aviation gasoline at the Aviation Noise & Emissions Symposium 2023 at UC Davis. The company markets two premium unleaded avgas products: UL94, sold since 2015 with FAA STC approval and ASTM D7547 certification, and a forthcoming high-octane 100R formula. These fuels are designed as lead-free alternatives to conventional aviation gasoline, with approvals from both engine and airframe original equipment manufacturers.