Neiva, a subsidiary of Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer, recently delivered its 50th ethanol-powered Ipanema, a low-wing agricultural monoplane. Since 1973, Neiva has sold over 1,000 of the crop dusters, most of them in the Latin American market. The company began selling ethanol versions of the plane in 2002, which makes sense, considering that Brazil is one of the top ethanol producers in the world.
Embraer also has been selling ethanol conversion kits for customers who purchased earlier versions of the plane. The kits, manufactured by Textron Lycoming, sell for $240,000. Embraer says that in addition to reducing fuel costs, converting an Ipanema to ethanol cuts maintenance and operating costs by 20%.
Exploration of alternative fuels has renewed focus on the Ipanema, which was the first aircraft in the world certified for ethanol operations. Embraer, which also manufacturers regional and executive jets, says that it is spending $250 million to investigate alternative jet fuels made from babassu, jathopa (a drought resistant shrub), and algae. According to Runway Girl, Embaer's environmental chief thinks algae might have the best shot.
Source: http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/04/embraer-sells-i.html
