Powered by a zero emission, hydrogen-electric engine, ZeroAvia’s first ZA600 prototype has completed its flight testing campaign at the Cotswold Airport in the UK. The 10th and last flight in the first series of testing was carried out last week, and involved the plane carrying out a cruise test to ascertain future ranges when using the fuel cell power generation and electric propulsion system. ZeroAvia aims to conduct the first cross-country flights during the next testing phase.

During the last six months, the ZA600 prototype has flown at 5,000 feet, carried out a 23 minute-long endurance test and operated in the wide temperature range from just above freezing to almost 30°C. The plane has also achieved the maximum allowable speed under the Permit to Fly issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).  

ZeroAvia states that throughout the testing phases, the proposed fuel cell power generation and electric propulsion system – and all core components – have performed as they should. Furthermore, the hydrogen-electric engine has matched the power generated by the traditional, fossil-fueled engine on the opposite wing.

“Zero-emission flight technologies are moving from promise to delivery and our amazing team is leading the way with this testing program,” said Val Miftakhov, founder and CEO, ZeroAvia. “We do not have to push the unappealing choices on passengers of paying more or flying less to deliver climate conscious air travel. We instead can adopt this technology quickly to reduce climate impact and air pollution.”

ZeroAvia’s Dornier 228 flight testing program forms part of the HyFlyer II Project, part funded by the UK Government through the Aerospace Technology Institute, in conjunction with Innovate UK and the Department for Business and Trade.