ZeroAvia is setting a new goal of building a hybrid aircraft despite its initial plans to build a completely "zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell regional passenger plane." Although the company planned to accomplish this in 2023, they have decided to change its goals to make it a little more practical.
ZeroAvia Raised $115 Million from Amazon and More
According to the story by Tech Crunch, ZeroAvia was able to raise $115 million in total from Amazon, United Airlines, British Airways, and Alaska Airlines to accomplish its initial promise of the full hydrogen passenger plane. The company, however, decided to change its plans and explained why.
As per ZeroAvia, working on an initial hybrid system would "reassure regulators" that its 19-seat Domier 228, the company's experimental hybrid hydrogen-electric plane, is capable of flying safely for tests. This will also allow the company to continue working on the "world's largest aviation hydrogen fuel cells.
Domier 228 to be Configurated with Hydrogen Electric Powertrain and Conventional Engine
ZeroAvia released a press release sharing more about the Domier 228 and said that the plane will be configurated to hold the company's hydrogen-electric powertrain but still run on a conventional engine.
An unreported statement by the UK's Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) prompted the decision to build the hydrogen plane. The statement was addressing the April 2021 crash of the moonshot project which caught investors' attention.
AAIB's Findings During the Cranfield Airport Crash
During that time, investors were intrigued by the "smaller fuel-cell and battery-powered prototype near Cranfield Airport." Piper Malibu, a five-seater plane, crashed near Cranfield airport due to power loss when its batteries turned off.
The AAIB found that when the power was off, hydrogen fuel cells were left powering the electrical motors. The landing resulted in heavy damage to the plane but both its pilot and passenger were able to make it out safe and without injuries.
Piper Malibu Flying Prototype 2019 Event
Piper Malibu, as revealed by Tech Crunch in 2021, relies very heavily on batteries. As per ZeroAvia, they are using batteries without any historic first flight of Malibu.
Another Piper Malibu flying prototype of the company, also sustained damage back in 2019 when they tried to install a hydrogen fuel tank at the ZeroAvia's US base in Hollister, California. Since then, this prototype has never been flown.
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ZeroAvia Plans to Install Donier Aircrafts with 600kW Hydrogen Fuel Cells
After the Cranfield crash, ZeroAvia has decided to move its UK operations to Gloucestershire at the Kemble airfield. This decision also resulted in the startup receiving financial incentives for relocating.
As of press time, ZeroAvia's aircraft selection includes two Dornier 228. One of the planes is located in Kemble while the other is located in Hollister.
ZeroAvia stated in the past that they would be using 600kW hydrogen fuel cells in order to power the Dornier aircrafts.
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This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Urian B.
