- H2FLY has successfully completed the world’s first piloted flight of a liquid hydrogen-powered electric aircraft.
- The flight was part of a series of test campaign flights conducted by the Stuttgart, Germany-based company.
- The company said the flight lays the foundation for long-range sustainable flights powered by liquid hydrogen.
“This achievement marks a watershed moment in the use of hydrogen to power aircraft. Together with our partners, we have demonstrated the viability of liquid hydrogen to support medium and long-range emissions-free flight,” said Professor Josef Kallo, co-founder of H2FLY.
H2FLY has completed four test flights with the HY4 near Maribor, Slovenia, including one that reportedly lasted longer than three hours. Following the test flight campaign, the team found that the usage of liquid hydrogen instead of gaseous hydrogen doubles the maximum range of the HY4 to approximately 932 miles (1,500 km) from approximately 435 miles (700 km). The findings mark a critical step toward the reality of emissions-free, medium to long-haul commercial flights, according to the company.
Liquified cryogenic hydrogen (LH2) allows for lower tank weights and volume at a significant level compared to pressurized gaseous hydrogen (GH2), leading to an extended range for aircraft and a useful payload.
“We are now looking ahead to scaling up our technology for regional aircraft and other applications, beginning the critical mission of decarbonizing commercial aviation,” the Co-founder added.
The flight test campaign is the culmination of Project HEAVEN, a consortium assembled to demonstrate the feasibility of using liquid cryogenic hydrogen to power aircraft. H2FLY reportedly leads the group and partners with Air Liquide, Pipistrel Vertical Solutions, the German Aerospace Center, EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies, and Fundación Ayesa.
“Air Liquide is proud to have designed, manufactured, and integrated, together with H2FLY, the liquid hydrogen tank that enabled to power the HY4 aircraft. Today’s success demonstrates the full potential of liquid hydrogen for aviation. Liquid hydrogen can be stored onboard and transported. Hydrogen is key to the energy transition and this new step proves that it’s already becoming a reality,” said Pierre Crespi, Innovation Director at Air Liquide Advanced Technologies.
Project HEAVEN is also funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, the German Federal Ministry for Digital Transport, and The University of Ulm
The company will also open its Hydrogen Aviation Center at Stuttgart Airport next year, which it says will be a focal point of the future of aviation in Europe.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
