DAYTON, Ohio – Camelina sativa is a flowering plant commonly known as camelina, gold-of-pleasure or false flax. For a long time, camelina was known primarily in North America as just a weed. Nowadays, researchers, farmers and even the U.S. Air Force are recognizing it as a valuable cover crop that is turning the heads of many.

With demand for U.S. biofuel production continuing to expand, producers are constantly looking for new fuel sources. One relative newcomer is camelina oil, with producers only recently exploring its commercial uses.

The camelina oilseed dates back thousands of years to when it was first produced in northern Europe. Its oil was initially used for food, medicine and lamp fuel but was largely replaced in the 20th century by other oils like rapeseed and canola. Recently, camelina’s potential as an industrial crop gave it a second chance in the oilseed market. The demand for camelina oil for biodiesel and jet fuel is being driven by its use as a renewable source of oil.

Recently, Delta Air Lines took a significant step toward greener aviation by launching its first flight powered by sustainable aviation fuel made from camelina. Delta designated flight DL 2732 from Minneapolis to New York City on Sept. 25 as the symbolic first flight as part of Climate Week NYC. The flight marked a pivotal moment in Delta’s efforts to reduce its carbon emissions.

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blended with winter camelina that Minnetonka, Minn.-based Cargill helped grow using innovations from the University of Minnesota’s Forever Green Initiative, was shipped to the Minneapolis-Saint Paul (MSP) International Airport. Delta Airlines and the Minnesota SAF Hub celebrated with a symbolic flight to mark the milestone of SAF entering the MSP fuel supply for the first time.

“The fact that this first flight is fueled with SAF made from camelina is a breakthrough far beyond what we thought possible just six months ago,” said Peter Frosch, president and CEO of the Greater MSP Partnership.

Those at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) near Dayton have long taken a look at using camelina in its jet fuel tanks.

In tests performed at the start of 2015, the U.S. Air Force blended camelina biodiesel with standard jet fuel for several jet test flights. Analysis shows camelina-based jet fuel reduces carbon emissions by 75 percent compared to petroleum, showcasing the advantage of switching to an alternative fuel like camelina oil.

WPAFB tested camelina-based biofuels for use in various aircraft, including the F-16, A-10 and F-22 Raptor. WPAFB recently performed its first test in an F-22 Raptor flying at super cruise speed, using a 50/50 mix of camelina-derived biojet fuel and conventional JP-8.

JP-8, or jet propellant-8, is a kerosene-based fuel used by the U.S. military in aircraft, land vehicles and support equipment. It’s similar to Jet A-1, the fuel used in commercial aircraft, but with additives to prevent corrosion and icing.

The F-22 consumed roughly 3,000 gallons of fuel going from WPAFB to Edwards Air Force Base in California.

Jeff Braun, director of the Alternative Fuels Certification Division at the Aeronautical Systems Center at WPAFB, said using camelina to replace 50 percent of the fuel it currently consumes in the U.S. is feasible, but would require a lot of camelina.

“That’s a lot of fuel,” Braun said. “In order to do that, you aren’t going to be able to rely on one supplemental supply system.”

Braun said the camelina used was sourced from a number of farms in the Northwestern U.S.

Camelina-based fuel wasn’t the only replacement fuel being tested. In addition to the 200,000 gallons of camelina-based fuels they used in the flight to California and other flights, WPAFB tested 200,000 gallons of beef tallow-based fuel and another 40,000 gallons of what they call “roadkill blend,” which consists of a number of waste vegetable oils blended together.

“We’re trying to identify not one winner, but a bunch of winners,” Braun said.

Braun said camalina shows promise in many ways. For one, he said, camelina is a renewable source that can be grown in the U.S. with little cultivation. Camelina-based biofuels can be environmentally friendly and non-competitive with food production. He adds that camelina-based biofuels can help the U.S. reduce its reliance on foreign oil.

On the agricultural side of things, camelina has a short growing season, reaching maturity in less than 100 days. This means camelina can be rotated with other crops. With camelina, farmers can have two harvests per year.

Camelina doesn’t require as many agricultural inputs when compared to other crops. Farmers can reduce their consumption of water, fertilizer, pesticides and herbicides. It also is resistant to common insects and diseases.

Camelina is resistant to frost and can be planted at the start of spring. Its seeds can germinate in temperatures as low as 34 degrees Fahrenheit. Above all, camelina can thrive as little as 11 inches of rainfall.

Camelina can be grown in the Midwest. Researchers at Ohio State University have studied camelina the past 20 years. Oilseed crops like camelina are growing and blooming at the Mellinger Farm in Wooster, thanks to a university research project that seeks to evaluate its many uses, including as animal feed and biofuel, and its potential to help diversify Ohio farms and boost its sustainability.

Camelina can thrive in Indiana and Kentucky. It’s been proven that camelina can successfully be grown in Tennessee, too. The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) researched how camelina could be integrated into farming practices.

According to the Energy Information Administration, U.S. biofuel production will increase through 2050, substituting high carbon score petroleum products. As fossil fuel petroleum prices continue to rise, the cost of producing camelina oil will become ever more competitive.