The first flight of a demonstrator by Universal Hydrogen (UH2), which outfits a De Havilland Canada Dash 8-300 with hydrogen tanks and a fuel cell electric motor unit, could happen in the coming weeks. The research will demonstrate the viability of hydrogen-powered aircraft.
Although the exact date of the maiden flight hasn’t been determined, UH2 officials informed LNA that it should happen soon. The aircraft will undergo taxi tests in the upcoming weeks. At Moses Lake in Central Washington State, the flight will take place.
In order to avoid the time-consuming and expensive investment in storage and filling infrastructure at airports, Universal Hydrogen delivers its hydrogen to the aircraft in prefilled barrel-sized tanks, known as capsules. A Dash 8 is used for the proof of concept, and then an ATR-72 airliner with a full hydrogen conversion kit is used.
