Video Transcript
Research and product development company H2FLYannouncedthe successful piloted flight of an electric aircraft fueled by liquid hydrogen. The company revealed it has now achieved four such flights, with one lasting more than three hours.
H2FLY carried out the flights with its HY4 demonstrator aircraft. The HY4 was equipped with a propulsion system based on hydrogen-electric fuel cells and used cryogenically stored liquid hydrogen as its fuel source.
According to H2FLY, results of the flights suggest that liquid hydrogen could double the HY4’s maximum range compared to gaseous hydrogen. Liquified, cryogenic hydrogen, or LH2, features lower tank volume and weights, enabling the increased range. Such a step would align with transitions to emissions-free commercial flights.
The tests are a part of Project HEAVEN, a European consortium led by H2FLY tasked with demonstrating the practicality of employing LH2 in aviation. Partners in the group include Pipistrel Vertical Solutions, Air Liquide, EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies, the German Aerospace Center, and Fundación Ayesa.
As a part of the ongoing efforts to explore the advantages of liquid hydrogen in aviation, H2FLY anticipates that hydrogen-electric aircraft will be able to transport more than 40 passengers over approximately 1,200 miles in a few years.
H2FLY said it will now turn its attention to commercialization. Steps in that process include the development of the H2F-175 fuel cell systems, which will be designed to deliver their full power capacity at altitudes of up to 27,000 feet. The company also plans to open its Hydrogen Aviation Center in 2024. The center will provide liquid hydrogen infrastructure and fuel cell aircraft integration facilities.
