Universal Hydrogen has successfully launched its 40-passenger regional hydrogen-electric plane just weeks after receiving an experimental airworthiness credential from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The aircraft took off from Washington state this morning and climbed 3,500 meters above sea level (MSL) before landing safely.
Universal Hydrogen Co. is an aviation company based in Southern California founded in 2020 by engineers to bring zero-emission hydrogen electric-powered aviation to fruition.
Dash-300 completes its flying test bed
Technology witnessed new milestones accomplished with Universal Hydrogen’s Dash-300 flying test in early February.
The aircraft will eventually be capable of carrying over 40 passengers employing hydrogen fuel cells and electric powertrains, making it the largest of its kind to ever take to the skies.
The path to today’s milestone began with the FAA experimental certification of the Dash-300, which allowed Universal Hydrogen to take off.
The world’s largest hydrogen electric plane
Universal Hydrogen celebrated today after the first successful flight of the hydrogen electric plane, which took off at 8:41 a.m. PST in Grant County, Washington, and flew for 15 minutes.
One of the plane’s engines was modified with a Universal Hydrogen fuel cell-electric powertrain for this first flight.
The other standard engine remained in place to ensure the plane’s and its pilot’s safety, former US Air Force test pilot Alex Kroll. Kroll spoke about the confidence he gained during the flight:
During the second circuit over the airport, we were comfortable with the performance of the hydrogen powertrain, so we were able to throttle back the fossil fuel turbine engine to demonstrate cruise principally on hydrogen power. The airplane handled beautifully, and the noise and vibrations from the fuel cell powertrain are significantly lower than from the conventional turbine engine
Alex Kroll, Former US Air Force test pilot stated on test flight
Connect Airlines representatives were present as the hydrogen-electric plane took off.
Connect has received the first US order to convert 75 ATR 72-600 planes to Universal Hydrogen powertrains, with the option to purchase 25 more. John Thomas, CEO of Connect Airlines, also spoke:
Today will go down in the history books as the true start to the decarbonization of the global airline industry. We at Connect Airlines are extremely proud of the role that we, as the first US operator, will play in leading the way with Universal Hydrogen. We have committed to being North America’s first zero-emission airline. This historic flight, taking hydrogen, which can be made with nothing but sunshine and emitting only water, is a key milestone on our journey
John Thomas, CEO of Connect Airlines stated on Universal Hydrogen
ATR 72 plane in 2025
With the completion of the first successful flight, Universal Hydrogen begins a two-year testing program that will allow full certification for hydrogen-electric passenger flights using the previously stated ATR 72 planes by 2025.
The Dash-300 flying test bed also becomes the largest hydrogen-electric plane, allowing more hydrogen-electric conversions of existing aircraft. Paul Eremenko, cofounder and CEO of Universal Hydrogen, elaborated:
Our business model resolves the chicken-and-egg problem between hydrogen airplanes and hydrogen infrastructure by developing both in parallel and with a uniquely low-cost approach. The airplanes are converted to hydrogen using an aftermarket retrofit conversion kit, tackling the existing fleet rather than developing a brand-new airplane. And hydrogen fueling uses modular capsules compatible with existing freight networks and airport cargo handling equipment, making every airport in the world hydrogen-ready
Paul Eremenko, CoFounder and CEO of Universal Hydrogen stated on Dash-300
See Also
- Universal Hydrogen receives FAA certification for hydrogen-powered aircraft
- Electric plane manufacturer takes off, gets worldwide orders
- Harbour Air ePlane completed the first point-to-point test flight in an all-electric plane
- Textron Inc. to develop Electric Planes
- Unveiling of the largest electric cargo aircraft in the world and its range
