Yesterday the local NPR affiliate had a story about biofuels for airlines. The radio report said Boeing said that biofuels are ‘better than petroleum-based fuel’. No cite. In any case, it’s a good start.
Right now, most GA aircraft engines require leaded (gasoline) fuel – much to the chagrin of environmentalists. Eventually there will be a formula for avgas that will allow the fleet to fly safely without lead. In recent years Diesel engines have found their way into GA. Not many, but a few. GA Diesel engines are designed to run on Jet-A, which is similar to Diesel fuel/kerosene. A viable source of ‘bio-Jet-A’ might induce airplane makers to build more GA aircraft with Diesel powerplants. In addition, reports I’ve read recently suggest that business aviation is recovering – and business jets and turboprops burn jet fuel.
Ethanol, though it contains less energy per gallon, does produce more power, which more power could be a benefit to plane during takeoff or while heavily loaded.
Yes, except that since it gets less energy per unit of mass it would be required to carry more fuel for the same distance, which is more weight, and weight is a serious issue in aviation.
Not that it’s impossible - Brazil runs most of its agricultural airplane fleet on ethanol - but for long distance travel the additional mass of fuel will be a serious factor.
No. But there are a lot of big jets burning a lot of jet fuel, in addition to corporate-sized aircraft. Most General Aviation aircraft (e.g., Mooney, Beechcraft, Cessna) burn avgas.