are being studied and tested in commercial and military aviation
widely. Biofuels currently in development are designed as drop
in replacements for existing jet fuels with no modifications
needed to engines or other systems. The biofuels, however, do
have to be mixed with regular aviation fuels. Generally, the
biofuel is mixed 50/50 with normal jet fuel. The USAF has been
testing jet aircraft with biofuels and certified its first jet,
the Globemaster III to operate on up to 50% Navy and Solazyme
have announced that a successful test flight of a MH 60S Seahawk
helicopter running on a 50/50 blend of algae-based biofuel. The
fuel mixture used in the test is known as Solajet HRJ-5 Jet
fuel. Solazyme claims that this is the first military aircraft
in history to fly on an algal-based jet fuel. The company also
notes that the flight preceded the ASTM preliminary approval for
military aircraft to operate on biofuels from algae and other
renewable sources. “We applaud ASTM International and the ATA
and CAAFI for their