FAA issues universal hydrogen approval for testing fuel cell powered aircraft

Universal Hydrogen, a developer of hydrogen fuel cell powertrains for aircraft, said it has received an experimental category airworthiness certificate from the FAA, authorizing the company to conduct the first flight of its hydrogen-powered test aircraft.

The company replaced one of the engines on its de Havilland Dash 8-300 twin-turboprop aircraft with an electric powertrain using hydrogen fuel cells. The flying test bed recently completed taxi tests to evaluate its ground handling qualities and the performance of its fuel cell electric powertrain at low power settings and flight speeds, the company said.

The propulsion system in the Dash 8 is similar to a conversion kit that Universal makes for the ATR 72-600 regional aircraft. The company expects the kits to be “certified and deployed on commercial passenger service by 2025.” The Dash 8’s maiden flight is scheduled for the first quarter of this year at Grant County International Airport (KMWH) in Moses Lake, Washington.

Late last year, Universal tested a modular hydrogen supply system at its development center in Toulouse, France. The system was designed to eliminate the need for complex and expensive new refueling infrastructure to handle the zero-emission fuel.

“We are simultaneously offering a pragmatic, short-term solution for hydrogen infrastructure and supply, as well as for converting existing passenger aircraft to use this lightweight, safe and zero-emissions fuel,” said Paul Eremenko, co-founder and CEO of Universal Hydrogen. “Today’s milestones are essential, important steps in putting the industry on track to meet the commitments of the Paris Agreement. The only alternative is to curb growth in air travel to curb emissions,” he said.

Source: www.flyingmag.com