Aircraft
Hydrogen Demo Flights Now Set to Start in the New Year
After aiming to kick off flight test programs of hydrogen-powered aircraft by year's end, Universal Hydrogen and ZeroAvia are now eyeing early next year.
ZeroAvia's Dornier 228 technology demonstrator
ZeroAvia's Dornier 228 technology demonstrator is set to make a first test flight with a hydrogen-electric powertrain replacing one of its two Honeywell TPE331 turboprop engines. (Photo: ZeroAvia)

The first flights of a pair of hydrogen-powered technology demonstrators are now set to happen early in 2023. As 2022 drew to a close rivals ZeroAvia and Universal Hydrogen were making final preparations to begin their respective flight tests with Dornier 228 and Dash 8-300 twin turboprop regional airliners.

On December 23, the UK Civil Aviation Authority issued a permit to fly for ZeroAvia’s 19-seat Dornier 228, which has been involved in ground tests at Kemble Airport in England for several months. One of the aircraft’s Honeywell TPE-331 turboprop engines has been replaced with the U.S.-based start-up’s hydrogen-electric powertrain.