American and British aircraft manufacturer ZeroAvia conducted the first successful test flight of its first hydrogen-powered eco-friendly Dornier 228 aircraft in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom.
The 19-seater aircraft has a hydrogen-electric engine mounted on the left side while a turbine engine (fuel-driven engine) is mounted on the other. According to the company, its latest Dornier 228 is the world’s largest hydrogen-electric powered aircraft.
The aircraft has hydrogen fuel cells that create energy by combining hydrogen and oxygen from the air through a chemical reaction. Unlike conventional aviation, the resulting waste consists of water.
ZeroAvia aims to begin commercial flights of hydrogen-powered aircraft by 2025. By 2025, the company’s goal is an aircraft that can fly about 483 km with nine to 19 passengers. This target will increase to 1126 km by 2027 with 40 to 80 seats.
