Starting November 6th 2020 the visionary hydrogen fuel cell driven Hy4 passenger plane took its first 35 take offs with the new, 6th generation propulsion system. During 2 weeks of test campaign, flights of up to two hours showed powertrain functionality and delivered valuable test data. Since the project start in 2017, the MAHEPA consortium has been working on a collection of new green technologies.
UPSCALING OF GREEN TECHNOLOGY
An important technological achievement of MAHEPA is the elaboration of first qualification test procedures for hydrogen fuel cell aircraft. The special powertrain architecture implemented and tested in the world`s first hydrogen fuel cell-powered four-seat passenger aircraft showed not only functionality, but it proved that the new, full redundant and modular architecture can be used to upscale fuel cell technology to MW scale. This is the right track in the direction of commercial aircraft adaptation. Thus, the encouraging technological achievements can be used in future activities to ensure the lead of European funded projects.
TEAMWORK AT ITS BEST
Several engineers, scientists and economists from overall Europe took on the responsibility to make a change and succeeded in bringing Europe one step closer to a more sustainable aviation. Only the perfect interaction and cooperation between European H2020 project MAHEPA and multiple national programs enabled this fast and successful development ensuring a step further towards a cleaner environment and better living.’
Earlier story: MAHEPA announces: Hydrogen fuel cell driven Hy4 has flown
MAHEPA consortium is proud to announce that technology developed as part of the project has been successfully proven in flight on board the Hy4 aircraft.
In November 2020, despite the COVID19 repercussions and with all safety precautions in place, the Hy4 hydrogen powered hybrid-electric aircraft successfully flew from Maribor airport, in Slovenia, achieving a landmark milestone for the MAHEPA project and for the future of clean aviation. By demonstrating technologies and showcasing that long-endurance and safe zero-emission flights are possible, MAHEPA is creating the technological foundation to enable clean, quiet, safe and sustainable flight – making Europe Green Deal’s goals related to aviation one step closer to reality.
With the renovated and optimized fuel cell system technology developed in MAHEPA and in strong cooperation with multiple national projects, the Hy4 became the most powerful hydrogen fuel cell driven aircraft ever made, directly flying into the next era of air transport. First qualification tests and data dissemination show that the full redundant Hy4 powertrain architecture allows an upscaling of the modular technology.
MAHEPA consortium of Pipistrel Vertical Solutions, Compact Dynamics, DLR, H2Fly, Politecnico di Milano, TU Delft, University of Maribor and University of Ulm is again demonstrating a pioneering direction towards cleaner air transport in Europe, which will be supported by novel technologies developed in the project.
Hydrogen fuel cell driven Hy4 has flown
Images and press courtesy of MAHEPA