Aviation H2, which is developing Australia’s first hydrogen-fueled plane, has opened its doors to investors through the VCEX online trading platform.

Its engineers are attempting to raise $300,000 in order to fund the project’s planning study for the development of a green energy jet engine plane. Aviation H2 engineers are currently evaluating design options based on reliability, environmental impact, efficiency, and weight. The team will present their recommendation on the most commercially viable model to begin building a prototype once their initial testing is completed in March 2022.

Dr. Helmut Mayer, the company’s lead engineer and director, believes the first plane will be in the air in the next 18 months.

“Taking inspiration from my colleagues, it is time to start on the road to decarbonising aviation, and there is nothing that cannot be done with a relevant dose of thought and attention,” said Dr Helmut Mayer.

Dr. Mayer will test two solutions for converting a traditional aircraft to a renewable model in the coming months. A hydrogen fuel cell electric motor is being tested, and a direct combustion engine is being modified.