Hanneke Weitering is a writer and editor with AIN covering advanced air mobility and new flight technologies. She became an aviation journalist and joined the AIN team in the summer of 2022 after reporting on spaceflight and astronomy for six years at Space.com. After earning a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she moved to New York City to pursue a master’s degree in science, health, and environmental reporting at New York University&#039;s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. She is now based in Seattle near Boeing Field and spends her free time exploring nature in the Pacific Northwest.

Science & Technology Editor

Hanneke Weitering

Latest news about Textron's eAviation division.

A European Union-backed project to build a hydrogen-electric powertrain for small commuter airplanes has selected H3 Dynamics to supply its aviation-grade hydrogen fuel cell systems for a technology demonstration.&nbsp;
Led by Honeywell and electric airplane manufacturer <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2024-03-05/pipistrel-gains-faa-exemption-velis-electro">Pipistrel</a>, the “Hypotrade” (hydrogen fuel cell electric powertrain demonstration) consortium aims to design and build a 500-kilowatt, hybrid-electric powertrain that runs on hydrogen fuel cells.&nbsp;
Plans call for ground tests to begin in 2026, followed by flight testing in 2030. Pipistrel, a Textron eAviation subsidiary, will provide a 19-seat demonstrator aircraft conceptually referred to as the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2023-02-03/net-zero-research-and-development-projects-proliferate-europe-chases-clean">Miniliner</a> for flight testing.
Data from the project will inform future efforts to introduce hydrogen-electric powertrains for small aircraft that fall under EASA’s CS-23 category, which includes commuter airplanes with up to 19 seats.&nbsp;
Hypotrade is designing the propulsion system’s architecture in a way that is scalable, so it could potentially enable megawatt-class propulsion systems for larger airliners. The consortium will use the data collected during ground and flight testing to create and validate a digital twin, which engineers can use to predict the performance of scaled powertrains in the future.
Funding for the project is coming from the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2023-06-14/clean-aviation-projects-point-hydrogen-regional-airliner">European Union’s Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking</a>, a public-private partnership between the European Commission and Europe’s aviation industry that aims to make flying more sustainable through the introduction of disruptive technologies.&nbsp;
Other participants in the Hypotrade consortium include the Netherlands Aerospace Center (NLR), Germany’s Fraunhofer Society research organization, the University of Stuttgart in Germany, and Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands.
H3 Dynamics is also supplying its hydrogen fuel cells to UK-based Lyte Aviation for its planned 40-seat, hydrogen-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft called the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-07-25/h3-dynamics-will-provide-hydrogen-fuel-cells-lyte-vtol">LA-44 Skybus</a>. The French company, which is based in Toulouse, has previously developed auxiliary power unit fuel cells for the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2024-05-16/airbus-prepares-start-testing-hydrogen-apu-a330-airliner">Airbus A330</a> airliner.

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

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H3 Dynamics' hydrogen fuel cells could power a 19-seat aircraft

A European Union-backed project to build a hydrogen-electric powertrain for small airliners selects H3 Dynamics to supply its hydrogen fuel cell systems.

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News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

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News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

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