We finally know what the mystery fuel is that Virgin Atlantic used to fly a demonstration flight with a 747; it was a kind of palm oil, and not a bio-butanol derivative as we expected.

We have to say that, as much as we admire Virgin for taking the lead on this, the fuel chosen was lukewarm at best. Oil palms have a relatively small oil yield, significantly less than algae. Palm oils must be mixed at a relatively low concentration with existing petroleum-based fuels, or carried in heated tanks. These oils are composed mostly of lauric (50%) and myristic (20%) oil, which have a melting point roughly equal to that of our unprotected skin. Not to mention the controversy that surrounds rapid encroachment on rain forests by oil palm producing countries. All in all, not the first choice we’d make for petroleum replacement.

While we cheer this accomplishment, we applaud the execution with only one hand for the reasons given. Nevertheless, Virgin is plowing transportation profits into this issue. Who knows what excellent work they are supporting with all that money. For that, we applaud with both hands, stomp our feet, and scream.