ZeroAvia, a leading innovator in zero-emission aviation, announced a groundbreaking achievement as it concluded its initial prototype ZA600 flight testing campaign at Cotswold Airport in the UK.
The successful 10th flight in the series marked a significant milestone in the development of the hydrogen-electric engine, propelling zero-emission flight technologies from promise to reality.
Over the course of the last six months, ZeroAvia has undertaken a meticulously planned and sequenced testing campaign following the world’s first breakthrough flight of the hydrogen-electric engine in January. The campaign involved various performance evaluations, including flights at 5,000 feet, an endurance test of 23 minutes, operation under a wide temperature range, and achieving the maximum allowable speed under the CAA-issued Permit to Fly.
Throughout each phase of testing, the core components of the novel zero-emission engine, the fuel cell power generation, and electric propulsion system, demonstrated exceptional performance, meeting or surpassing expectations. Notably, the hydrogen-electric engine matched the power output of its conventional fossil fuel counterpart on the opposite wing, even allowing pilots to fly with thrust generated solely from the experimental clean propulsion system in specific tests.
ZeroAvia’s remarkable progress in pioneering zero-emission flight has earned commendations from Nusrat Ghani MP, Minister for Industry & Economic Security, who emphasized the importance of government support through the ATI Programme. The programme, in conjunction with Innovate UK and the Department for Business and Trade, has provided essential funding for the HyFlyer II Project, driving advancements in green aviation and securing high-skilled green jobs in the UK.
ZeroAvia’s Dornier 228 flight testing programme, part of the HyFlyer II Project, has showcased the potential of hydrogen-electric engines. These engines utilize hydrogen in fuel cells to generate electricity, subsequently powering electric motors to turn the aircraft’s propellers. The only emission from this revolutionary technology is low-temperature water, leading to above 90% total climate effect reduction.
