Market Intelligence: -General Aviation

Training Aircraft Manufacturer Completes World’s First Piloted Flight of Liquid Hydrogen Powered Electric Aircraft

Project HEAVEN, a European-government-supported consortium assembled to demonstrate the feasibility of using liquid, cryogenic hydrogen in aircraft, announced it has successfully completed the world’s first piloted flight of an electric aircraft powered by liquid hydrogen. The consortium is led by H2FLY and includes the partners Air Liquide, Pipistrel Vertical Solutions, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies, and Fundación Ayesa.

The day consisted of four flights powered by liquid hydrogen as part of the project’s flight test campaign, including one flight that lasted for over three hours. The flights were completed with H2FLY’s piloted HY4 demonstrator aircraft, fitted with a hydrogen-electric fuel cell propulsion system and cryogenically stored liquid hydrogen that powered the aircraft.

Results of the test flights indicate that using liquid hydrogen in place of gaseous hydrogen will double the maximum range of the HY4 aircraft from 750 km to 1,500 km, marking a critical step towards the delivery of emissions-free, medium- and long-haul commercial flights.

“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.

“We are now looking ahead to scaling up our technology for regional aircraft and other applications, beginning the critical mission of decarbonizing commercial aviation,” he added.

Beside project HEAVEN, the work has been funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMVD), and The University of Ulm.

Compared with pressurized gaseous hydrogen storage (GH2), the use of liquified, cryogenic hydrogen (LH2) enables significantly lower tank weights and volume, therefore leading to increased aircraft range and useful payload.

Pierre Crespi, Innovation Director at Air Liquide Advanced Technologies says: “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.”

Dr. Syed Asif Ansar, Head of Department Energy System Integration at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), says: “DLR boasts extensive expertise in electrified aircrafts, with a track record spanning over 15 years. Starting from the inaugural flight of the Antares DLR-H2 in 2009, consistent advancements have been made in fuel cells and their auxiliary systems. This progressive journey culminates in a significant present achievement in aviation history: the utilization of cryogenic liquified hydrogen as fuel storage for a four-seater aircraft powered by fuel cells. Collaborating with H2FLY, AirLiquide and other project members, DLR is actively engaged in projects aimed at propelling the development of CS-23 and CS-25 fuel cell powered aircraft into the next phase.”

Tine Tomažič, head of engineering and programs at Pipistrel, says: “To be a part of this magnificent team has been an honour. At Pipistrel, our aim is to be the pioneer of future flight and playing a role on the liquid hydrogen tank integration, we, along with all the other partners involved, are able to demonstrate the success of alternative sustainable fuels, ready to power the aircraft of tomorrow.”

With the completion of the flight testing in project HEAVEN, H2FLY will focus on the path to commercialization. In June, H2FLY announced the development of its new H2F-175 fuel cell systems which will be capable of providing their full power range in flight altitudes of up to 27,000 ft, marking an important step on the path from lower altitude viability flight demonstrations to real-world commercial aircraft applications.

In 2024, H2FLY will open its Hydrogen Aviation Center at Stuttgart Airport, co-funded by the Ministry of Transport Baden Württemberg. The Center will become a focal point for the future of Europe’s aviation industry and its hydrogen economy, providing fuel cell aircraft integration facilities and liquid hydrogen infrastructure.

Source: HEAVEN
Photo Credit: HEAVEN

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Spanish Aviation Training Organisation Sabadell Aeroclub Launches Course for Aeromechanical Maintenance of Turbine Engine Aircraft

The general director of Jesuit Education, Esteve Mogas, the mayoress of Sabadell, Marta Farrés and the president of the Aeroclub Barcelona-Sabadell, Pere Joan Nogueroles, have formalized an agreement to jointly develop the Higher Cycle in Aeronautical Maintenance of turbine engine.

The three-year course is offered from Jesuïtes-el Clot and a good part of the subjects and practices will be taught in the facilities of the Barcelona-Sabadell Aeroclub, a space that will allow the students to enjoy facilities first-level professional facilities, and develop their learning in a real environment.

The three institutional representatives have highlighted the strategic bet that this agreement and the start of these studies represent. For the Jesuit Education Foundation, it means going one step further in its mission to offer the highest quality training, starting studies of high strategic value.

The president of the Aeroclub Barcelona-Sabadell, Pere Joan Noguerolas, has commented that this training proposal completes its catalog of services in a very qualitative way: “It was the missing leg. We see how the airlines continued to increase their aircraft fleets and how the offer continues to rise, therefore more maintenance technicians will be needed. With this agreement we cover this demand.”

For her part, the mayor of Sabadell, Marta Farrés, wanted to reaffirm the council’s commitment to make the Sabadell Aeroclub and Airport a benchmark in aeronautical education, emphasizing its proximity to Barcelona and the airport Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat: “we want Sabadell Airport to be recognized throughout the territory and to give it the importance it deserves, in addition to enhancing the opportunities that arise with it.”

To finish the presentation, Esteve Mogas, general director of Jesuit Education, shared the institution’s commitment to professional studies: “Professional training is very important to our foundation. The agreement with the Aeroclub is based on 3 pillars: the vital project of our students, academic development, where excellence and quality are always sought and the professional journey that we will offer with this new cycle.”

Source: Jesuit Education
Photo Credit: Jesuit Education

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Global Pilot Training Group, CAE, and Textron Aviation Defense Sign MOU to Extend Collaboration on Next-Generation T-6 Training

On September 13, at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) conference, CAE signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Textron Aviation Defense LLC that expands efforts to support defence force preparation, integrate next-generation aircraft and develop advanced capabilities. The collaboration between CAE and Textron Aviation Defense addresses the growing need for military-led and industry-enabled flight training services that employ emerging technology and innovative instructional approaches to enhance the next-generation T-6 training ecosystem.

“Effective industry collaboration is critical to advance training and simulation that will enable agile and efficient customer-driven solutions,” said Marc-Olivier Sabourin, Vice President, CAE Defense & Security, International. “CAE is dedicated to the innovation and data analytics needed to advance digital technology and enable integration. Together with industry partners, we are able to leverage the best of our capabilities to deliver critical readiness for defence forces.”

The combined expertise of Textron Aviation Defense and CAE will confront training challenges currently impacting air forces worldwide, including pilot shortages, lack of instructor pilots, and increasing aircraft operation and maintenance costs. The benefits of emerging technologies and adaptive instructional approaches target critical issues like cost effectiveness, increased student throughput, student-centric learning, and instructor workload.

“Textron Aviation Defense and CAE share a common heritage and vision to deliver exceptional integrated training systems in support of military pilot production worldwide,” said Brett Pierson, President and CEO of Textron Aviation Defense. “The powerful combination of the world-class Beechcraft T-6C Texan II — with its unparalleled track record delivering basic, intermediate and advanced military flight training across a global fleet of more than 1,000 aircraft surpassing five million flight hours — and the deep experience, leading-edge training expertise and human-learning technology of CAE elevate the range of bespoke integrated training solutions we deliver. Together, we’ll empower training organizations with highly effective, efficient and reliable training capabilities that produce the world’s finest military aviators.”

CAE and Textron Aviation Defense continue to advance, integrate, and enable training transformation through the analysis, design, execution, and evaluation stages to ensure force readiness for current and future platforms.

Source: CAE
Photo Credit: CAE

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