ZeroAvia replicates full flight in ground test

The test simulated a 250 nautical mile flight in a Cessna Caravan 208b aircraft, equivalent to flying between London Heathrow and Dublin Airport. During the 2 hour and 38 minute test, the fuel cell system demonstrated stable power output and excellent performance of the balance-of-plants, with each 200 kW capable module producing 170 kW power for take-off, 132 kW during a 23-minute climb and 83 kW for a 90-minute cruise. As part of the ZA600 hydrogen-electric powertrain for up to 20 seat planes, four 200 kW rated modules of the dual stack PGS will provide electrical power for ZeroAvia’s 600 kW electric propulsion system, recently the subject of G-1 and P-1 issue papers from the FAA.

Each module is capable of feeding DC electrical power to four ZeroAvia 200  kW rated inverters, which in turn provide AC power to one of four segments of the company’s proprietary 600 kW motor design. The segregated system enables full power operation of the motor if there is failure in one leg, creating a high degree of fault tolerance.

For the ZA600 engine, ZeroAvia has created a multi-stack balance-of-plant architecture capable of delivering 1.4 kW/kg power density. Since initial breakthrough flight tests, the company has been working to finalize the design of the certification-intent ZA600 as it works to certify with the UK CAA.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalhydrogenreview.com/hydrogen/03092025/zeroavia-replicates-full-flight-in-ground-test/