The HyFlyer project, which aims to decarbonise medium-range small passenger aircraft by demonstrating how hydrogen fuel cell powertrain technology could replace conventional piston engines in propeller aircraft, has been awarded £5.3 million of Government funding.

The project will culminate in a 250-300 nautical mile (NM) zero-emission demonstration flight from an airfield in Orkney.

The conventional powertrain will be replaced by electric motors, hydrogen fuel cells and a gas storage system.

Led by ZeroAvia (www.zeroavia.com) — a developer of hydrogen fuel cell powertrain solutions — HyFlyer will demonstrate a phased approach from battery power to hydrogen power, integrating the new technology aboard a Piper M-class six-seater aircraft, which will perform test flights from Cranfield and Orkney.

Intelligent Energy will optimise its high-power fuel cell technology for application in aviation, while EMEC Hydrogen will supply the hydrogen required and develop a mobile refuelling platform compatible with the aircraft.

Val Miftakhov, founder and CEO of ZeroAvia, said: “The substantial backing provided by the UK Government underlines the potential of hydrogen as a fuel source for commercial aviation and provides significant validation of our approach to zero-emission flight.

“Our project goal of 300NM is equivalent to the distance from London to Edinburgh.”