Inside Opinion » Alaska Airlines

Aviation biofuel plans could be a boon for the Northwest

Cheryl Tucker — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 23:38:18 +0000

Camelina plant shows promise as the source of aviation biofuel. (MCT)

This editorial will appear in Monday’s print edition.

A humble plant grown in ancient times for its oil is making a welcome comeback – as a source of jet fuel. And the Pacific Northwest is well poised to be a leader in this growing and important industry.

Camelina, a flowering plant related to mustard, is being tested as a biofuel for military and commercial aviation.

A 50-50 blend already has been used successfully by the Air Force’s Thunderbirds squadron. And Boeing’s 747-8 freighter that …

Quieter, cleaner, safer skies? Sign us up

Kim Bradford — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 03:03:56 +0000

This editorial will appear in Tuesday’s print edition.

Boeing 737s land at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport many times a day, but a recent 3 a.m. arrival was something special.

An Alaska Airlines jet touched down carrying 40 engineers and technicians who were on hand to witness a test run of the future of air travel.

Their landing was characterized by a short approach, a smooth descent, and minimal chatter between the pilots and air traffic controllers. In other words, it was anything but ordinary.

The flight, reported Sunday in The News Tribune and The Seattle …