FutureFlight
H2Fly Tests Liquid Hydrogen Refueling Process for HY4 Technology Demonstrator Aircraft
Working with industrial gas supplier Air Liquide, H2Fly is preparing for flight tests this summer aimed at doubling the range of an aircraft fitted with its fuel cell-based powertrain.
H2Fly and Air Liquide have filled cryogenic tanks with liquid hydrogen on the HY4 test aircraft.
H2Fly and Air Liquide have filled cryogenic tanks with liquid hydrogen on the HY4 test aircraft. (Image: H2Fly)

Fuel cell developer H2Fly has completed initial ground tests to refuel its hydrogen-electric HY4 aircraft with liquid hydrogen. On April 5, the German company conducted the test in Grenoble in France at a facility operated by its partner, the industrial gas group Air Liquide as part of preparations for the start of a new round of flight testing this summer.

The tests for what H2Fly calls the filling procedure are part of the European Union-funded Project Heaven which is contributing to the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 research and development initiative to demonstrate the feasibility of using a liquid, cryogenic hydrogen-powered fuel cell powertrain in an aircraft. Since December 2022, H2Fly, which is based in Stuttgart, has been responsible for reporting the project’s results.