Refuelling the world’s first hydrogen-electric passenger plane flight
Fuel cell Systems Ltd (FCSL) is delighted to support ZeroAvia, the leading innovator in decarbonising commercial aviation, which has completed the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell powered flight of a commercial-grade aircraft. The flight took place yesterday at the company's R&D facility in Cranfield, England, with the Piper M-class six-seat plane completing taxi, takeoff, a full pattern circuit, and landing.
FCSL supplied a redeployable electrolyser producing hydrogen and a mobile hydrogen refuelling truck with 55kg storage to enable the innovative project to be delivered. The launch flight was watched by Aviation Minister, Robert Courts.
The successful flight represents a significant milestone on the road to zero-emission commercial flights.
Funded through the UK Government’s Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme, the HyFlyer project will now enter its final stage of technology integration and testing which will culminate in a 250-Nautical Mile zero-emission hydrogen powered flight out of an airfield in Orkney before the end of the year.
Working with The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), who are supplying the hydrogen required for flight tests, FCSL have developed a mobile hydrogen refuelling solution which is compatible with the plane. Project partners Intelligent Energy will optimise its high power fuel cell technology for application in aviation.
Tom Chicken, Chief Technical Officer of Fuel Cell Systems Ltd said:
“The HyFlyer project is an exciting and innovative use of our hydrogen refuelling products and we are delighted to be involved in developing a solution for ZeroAvia and EMEC. We are increasingly delivering refuelling services to a wide range of customers - for planes, trains and automobiles. Providing fuel at the correct pressure, purity, quantity and place is a vital enabler to maximise the opportunity presented by hydrogen across the transport sector.”
Val Miftakhov, CEO of ZeroAvia, said:
“It’s hard to put into words what this means to our team, but also for everybody interested in zero-emission flight. While some experimental aircraft have flown using hydrogen fuel cells as a power source, the size of this commercially available aircraft shows that paying passengers could be boarding a truly zero-emission flight very soon. All of the team at ZeroAvia and at our partner companies can be proud of their work getting us to this point, and I want to also thank our investors and the UK Government for their support.”
Robert Courts, Aviation Minister, said:
“Aviation is a hotbed of innovation and ZeroAvia’s fantastic technology takes us all one step closer to a sustainable future for air travel. Through our ground-breaking Jet Zero partnership we’re working hard with industry to drive innovation in zero carbon flight, and we look forward to seeing the sector go from strength to strength.”
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