Move over gas guzzlers, there’s a new sheriff in town! The world’s first-ever piloted flight of an electric aircraft powered by liquid hydrogen just happened, and it’s a major game changer.
This isn’t some dream from a sci-fi movie, it’s real life thanks to the innovative German company, H2FLY. Their HY4 plane is ditching regular fuel for liquid hydrogen, opening the door to super-long flights that don’t pollute the planet.
H2FLY's HY4 Soars with Liquid Hydrogen
H2FLY isn’t one to miss an eco-friendly party! Their HY4 plane has been like the coolest kid on the playground since its debut in 2016, always breaking records. This latest accomplishment involved a real live pilot taking the HY4 on four special flights. But what makes this extra lit? Liquid hydrogen!
This new fuel is kind of like a superhero upgrade for the HY4. It lets the plane fly way farther on a single tank, almost like going from running around the block to cruising across the state. Pretty sweet, right?
Lets have a closer look of this amazing aircraft;
Liquid Hydrogen = More Range, Less Weight
Unlike most planes that use bulky tanks for hydrogen gas, the HY4 uses super-cold liquid hydrogen (LH2). This might sound crazy, but LH2 is lighter and takes up less space. The result? The HY4’s range doubled from about 466 miles to a whopping 932 miles! That’s almost the distance from New York City to Miami.
This is a Big Deal for Clean Skies
H2FLY’s co-founder, Professor Josef Kallo, is hyped, and rightfully so! This flight proves that liquid hydrogen can power planes for long journeys without spewing out nasty emissions. This is a major step towards making flying way more eco-friendly.
The Future of Flight is Electric (and Hydrogen-Powered!)
H2FLY isn’t the only one chasing this dream. The UK’s got a team working on a hydrogen plane that could fly halfway around the world without needing to refuel! The future of flight is looking electric (and hydrogen-powered) and way better for our planet. Here’s to cleaner skies and epic long-haul adventures!
