Engines
Lack of Funding Shuts Hydrogen Propulsion Pioneer Stralis
Australian start-up planned to convert Beechcraft Bonanza and 1900D aircraft
Stralis Aircraft Beech 1900D aircraft
Stralis Aircraft had planned to convert the Beech 1900D commuter aircraft to run on its hydrogen-electric propulsion system.

Australian start-up Stralis Aircraft has abandoned its plans to bring its hydrogen-electric propulsion technology to market. In a statement issued on August 19, the company said it has been unable to raise sufficient capital to advance projects such as converting the Beech 1900 twin turboprop and developing its own 50-seat SA-1-HE regional airliner.

The decision to close the company came less than a month after it conducted taxi trials with a converted Beechcraft A36 Bonanza technology demonstrator at Brisbane International Airport (YBBN) on July 29. Last year, Stralis announced launch customers including U.S. company Aviate Enterprises, which planned to buy multiple Bonanza aircraft, and German regional airline start-up Evia Aero, which provisionally committed to 10 Beech 1900D-HE models.