Planes may fly mostly on biofuels within 10 years

Aviation experts say recent test flights have proved the viability of plant-based fuels for jet aircraft and that they may largely power airline traffic within a decade.

Aviation experts say recent test flights have proved the viability of plant-based fuels for jet aircraft and that they may largely power airline traffic within a decade.

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They say the focus now is on finding plants that can be used without taking land from food crops or causing deforestation. An organization called the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels is drawing up standards for certifying production.

Five test flights using biofuel have been conducted since 2008 by different airlines.

One promising source was camelina, a plant from the mustard family that farmers use as a rotation crop to rejuvenate the soil.

Boeing official Terrance Scott said on Wednesday during a global bioenergy conference biofuels likely will be approved for commercial use later this year.