Boeing says by 2030 it will sell planes that fly on bio-fuel

It is one thing to say it and quite another thing to do it. But I understand that they have something to say to maintain the interest of governments (to continue receiving their aid), of users (to keep flying) and at the same time maintain the “discourse” that they also collaborate with climate change.

The aeronautical world, like the automotive world and others, is undergoing perhaps the greatest transformation in its history, and it should do so in a very short time. In a few years, airplanes should be able to fly without polluting, and that is very difficult.

Aircraft builders (Boeing and Airbus), engine builders and others are looking for short and long term solutions.

They are losing money in large amounts and need help from their governments to maintain technology and jobs, but what results in a few years is going to be very different from now.

The workload of the subcontractors of the big manufacturers has fallen to less than half, and any positive news encourages those who are in this very difficult market sector today.

That a “large” airplane like the one in the photo flies with bio-fuel in less than 10 years is a major challenge. And aside from serious engine changes, a lot must change for the bio-fuel supply chain to spread around the world.

I insist, it is one thing to say it and another to do it.

Boeing already did tests in 2018 with a B-777 airplane flying with bio-fuel, and it was a FedEx cargo plane, but they did not report the results. And I suppose they would continue investigating in that direction.

I believe that in general I am reasonably positive, but we must be able to distinguish the messages in the face of the “on-lookers” and the technological and industrial reality. And even more difficult, certifying an aircraft with new engines and new fuel can take quite a few years.

I would like nothing more than to be wrong and see that Boeing and Airbus, and the rest of the manufacturers are able to provide planes flying with bio-fuel shortly (by the year 2030). But it is not easy.

What happens is that the aeronautical world has a great “sword” above its head and that makes people get a move-on, and I also hope that they do not do it by lowering the level of safety of flights. We can’t play with that.