Photo: H2Fly
Most electric aviation projects include the integration of hydrogen somewhere down the line. Long-route commercial flights with zero emissions seem almost impossible without this crucial element. H2Fly is making it happen sooner rather than later. After years of development and testing, it claims to have completed the world's first flight powered by liquid hydrogen, with a pilot onboard.
Can you imagine a green air vehicle that can easily cover more than 930 miles (1,500 km) during a single flight? This is the new promise of HY4, the demonstrator developed by a company specializing in liquid hydrogen-electric propulsion.
The company has completed several piloted flights that can be considered a first in the industry. The aircraft didn't use a single drop of conventional fuel, only relying on its hydrogen-electric fuel cell propulsion system and liquid hydrogen.
One of these breakthrough flights lasted more than three hours. According to H2Fly, this is mainly possible due to the use of liquid hydrogen. Using hydrogen in liquid form instead of gaseous is key. The cryogenically stored liquid hydrogen equals lower weight and volume when it comes to storage tanks. By reducing overall weight and volume, the aircraft can successfully increase its range.
Simply by using liquid instead of gaseous hydrogen, the HY4 aircraft can go from a range of 466 miles (750 km) to one of 930. The possibilities this opens for long-range aviation are tremendous.
H2Fly was founded in Germany in 2015. Six years later, the Californian eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) manufacturer Joby Aviation acquired it, transforming it into its wholly-owned subsidiary.
Even prior to the acquisition, the pioneering company wasn't on its own. It was backed by some of the most prominent European players in aviation as part of a government-supported consortium. H2Fly is the leader of this consortium called Project Heaven, with members like DLR (The German Aerospace Center), Pipistrel, and Air Liquide.
This piloted flight isn't H2Fly’s only record-setting achievement. It also broke the world altitude record for hydrogen aviation in 2022. The HY4 demonstrator reached an altitude of 7,230 feet (2,203 meters) during a flight from Stuttgart to Friedrichshafen, Germany, covering 77 miles (124 km). It was also the first hydrogen-powered flight between two commercial airports.
French company Air Liquide was the one who developed the innovative liquid hydrogen tank that could revolutionize electric flights. H2Fly isn't building a new type of aircraft but developing a fuel cell system that would eventually be certified for large commercial aircraft. This could effectively pave the way for zero-emission flights, even on long-distance routes.
In the meantime, H2Fly is also working with Stuttgart Airport on a pioneering Hydrogen Aviation Center. The facility will be dedicated to development and extensive testing and is set to start operating by the end of 2024.
The company has completed several piloted flights that can be considered a first in the industry. The aircraft didn't use a single drop of conventional fuel, only relying on its hydrogen-electric fuel cell propulsion system and liquid hydrogen.
One of these breakthrough flights lasted more than three hours. According to H2Fly, this is mainly possible due to the use of liquid hydrogen. Using hydrogen in liquid form instead of gaseous is key. The cryogenically stored liquid hydrogen equals lower weight and volume when it comes to storage tanks. By reducing overall weight and volume, the aircraft can successfully increase its range.
Simply by using liquid instead of gaseous hydrogen, the HY4 aircraft can go from a range of 466 miles (750 km) to one of 930. The possibilities this opens for long-range aviation are tremendous.
H2Fly was founded in Germany in 2015. Six years later, the Californian eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) manufacturer Joby Aviation acquired it, transforming it into its wholly-owned subsidiary.
Even prior to the acquisition, the pioneering company wasn't on its own. It was backed by some of the most prominent European players in aviation as part of a government-supported consortium. H2Fly is the leader of this consortium called Project Heaven, with members like DLR (The German Aerospace Center), Pipistrel, and Air Liquide.
This piloted flight isn't H2Fly’s only record-setting achievement. It also broke the world altitude record for hydrogen aviation in 2022. The HY4 demonstrator reached an altitude of 7,230 feet (2,203 meters) during a flight from Stuttgart to Friedrichshafen, Germany, covering 77 miles (124 km). It was also the first hydrogen-powered flight between two commercial airports.
French company Air Liquide was the one who developed the innovative liquid hydrogen tank that could revolutionize electric flights. H2Fly isn't building a new type of aircraft but developing a fuel cell system that would eventually be certified for large commercial aircraft. This could effectively pave the way for zero-emission flights, even on long-distance routes.
In the meantime, H2Fly is also working with Stuttgart Airport on a pioneering Hydrogen Aviation Center. The facility will be dedicated to development and extensive testing and is set to start operating by the end of 2024.
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