Nowadays, when we abandon fossil fuels, aviation is in search of an alternative power unit, as in all other sectors. In this process, hydrogen fuel cell engines also stand out as an alternative power unit. Various companies have been testing hydrogen fuel cell aircraft for some time now.
Planes’ engines are being replaced with hydrogen fuel cells
The company called Universal Hydrogen is one of them. Just weeks after the company received experimental airworthiness certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), it successfully launched its 40-passenger regional hydrogen fuel cell aircraft into the skies. The plane, which took off from the US state of Washington, made its flight at an average altitude of one thousand meters.
shiftdelete.netUniversal Hydrogen set out in 2020 with the mission of bringing its zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell aircraft to the aviation industry. The tests, in which the Dash-300 model was used as a test vehicle, were quite successful. The test aircraft, which has a hydrogen fuel cell and electric powertrain, has the capacity to carry more than 40 passengers. The company states that when the project is completed, it will be the largest of its kind to have ever taken to the skies.
The world’s largest hydrogen fuel cell plane takes off!
HyFlyer II, produced by ZeroAvia, also holds the title of being the world’s largest hydrogen fuel cell aircraft.
For this first flight, one of the aircraft’s engines was replaced with a fuel cell electric powertrain from Universal Hydrogen. The other standard engine was left to secure the plane and former US Air Force test pilot Alex Kroll.
Upon completion of its first test flight, the Dash-300 will become the largest hydrogen electric aircraft to take off. This initiative of the company paves the way for the transformation of existing aircraft into hydrogen fuel cell powertrains.
Universal Hydrogen has also received its first order. In case of successful completion of the tests, 75 hydrogen fuel cell aircraft are planned to be delivered to Connect airline by 2025.
Today, when fossil fuels are left behind, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are of great importance. So what do you think about hydrogen fuel cell and hydrogen fuel cell airplanes? You can share your views with us in the comments section.