The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) flew the first civil jet powered by 100-percent unblended biofuel last week, marking a “significant step” toward advancing sustainable sources of renewable energy. During the test flight over Ottawa, biofuel made from oilseed crops flowed into the engines of a Falcon 20 captained by NRC pilot Tim Leslie.

The biofuel used for the flight was refined by Applied Research Associates and Chevron Lummus Global, using oilseed crops commercialized by Agrisoma Bioscience. The Government of Canada’s Clean Transportation Initiatives and the Green Aviation Research and Development Network funded the initiative.

A T-33 tailed the Falcon in flight and collected information on the emissions generated by the biofuel. Research experts at the NRC will analyze this information to obtain a better understanding of the environmental impact of biofuel, and preliminary results are expected by the end of this month.

“I congratulate the aerospace team at the National Research Council of Canada for achieving this milestone in aviation history,” said Hon. Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and Technology. “The NRC, through our government’s investments, helps support the Canadian economy by enabling its partners to develop and bring effective sustainable energy solutions to market.”