ZeroAvia Does Paris and the UK

Dean Sigler Announcements, Electric Powerplants, Fuel Cells, hydrogen, Sustainable Aviation Leave a Comment

ZeroAvia recently presented at the Paris Air Show and is working intensively on certifying its motors and systems in the United Kingdom.   Their two motors are now joined by several components, including a liquid hydrogen fuel management system.  This system comprises a “lightweight metallic tank design and associated systems for filling, storing, and distributing the fuel as hydrogen-electric technology is increasingly applied to larger aircraft,” according to the company. Here, Val Miftkhov explains the workings of the company at this year’s Paris Air Show.  Of special interest, he compares the positives and negatives of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with those of hydrogen fuel cells, a matter of competitive importance. The Motors ZeroAvia has a pair of motors in the 600 kilowatt (804 horsepower) and 2,000 kilowatt (2,680 hp.) range, the ZA600 nearing certification in the UK and the ZA2000 attracting buyers in the regional airliner world.  The company claims several advantages for its motors.  They include, “90% Lower life cycle …

ZeroAvia to Supply Surcar with Hydrogen Floatplanes

Dean Sigler Announcements, Electric Powerplants, Fuel Cells, hydrogen, Hydrogen Fuel, Sustainable Aviation Leave a Comment

An Island-Hopping Customer Surcar Airlines is an enterprise based in the Canary Islands which hopes to serve its island routes with ZeroAvia-motored, hydrogen-fueled DeHavilland Twin Otters.  But not right away. Starting with conventionally-powered turbine twins, Surcar is working on a process, “Based on starting something totally new and that touches so many sectors at the same time. “Today we confirm that we have signed an agreement with@zeroavia to fly its ZA600 hydrogen-electric engines in order to operate ecological flights. “We will operate Twin Otter seaplanes updated with the ZA600 propulsion system on our sightseeing flights.”  This 600 kilowatt (804 horsepower) system is now being tested and certified for aircraft seating nine to 19 passengers. “This implies the commitment to lead the electrification of aviation in the Canary Islands and achieve zero-emission flights in the archipelago.” This ambition drives the airline to follow, and possibly lead in the European Union’s aim to, “…Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55 percent by 2030 …

ZeroAvia Has New Airplane, New Motor

Dean Sigler Announcements, Electric Powerplants, Fuel Cells, hydrogen, Hydrogen Fuel, Sustainable Aviation Leave a Comment

ZeroAvia has taken delivery of a 76-seat Bombardier* Q400 airplane from Alaska Airlines.  The craft could become a test bed for ZeroAvia’s modular HyperCore motors and hydrogen fuel systems.  The Q400 will carry four times the number of passengers of the company’s current Dornier 228 twin-engine test aircraft – already having made five successful test flights. ZeroAvia proclaims, “The future of flight is renewable hydrogen,” and explains with a mission statement.  “From 20 seat regional trips to over 100 seat long-distance flights, ZeroAvia enables scalable, sustainable aviation by replacing conventional engines with hydrogen-electric powertrains.” Two Dorniers, one in the United Kingdom and one in Hollister, California, are undergoing test flights (five so far in the Cotswolds in England) or awaiting FAA approval for such flights in Hollister. Acquiring the Bombardier brought a lot of attention to the Everett, Washington area recently, where ZeroAvia has a development center.  Governor Jay Inslee came to inspect the project Q400 and prophecy about an increasingly …