AMSL Aero complete hydrogen aviation testing

Positive results from the tests at one of Australia’s busiest airports have propelled AMSL Aero closer to its goal of decarbonising essential air services such as medical transfers, passenger, and freight services. AMSL Aero’s hybrid electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, Vertiia, will fly 1000 km on hydrogen, making air transport cheaper and greener nationwide.

The tests’ results reveal that since mid-2024, AMSL Aero has used more than 200 kg of hydrogen. That is enough to fill an Olympic swimming pool at atmospheric pressure and power its 100kW fuel cell test bench, the only known facility of its kind in Australia.

The test bench works as a fully functional mock-up of the hydrogen powertrain for Vertiia, which made Australian aviation history in late 2024 by making its first free flights. AMSL Aero has won orders for Vertiias from general aviation operators including Bankstown Airport-based Aviation Logistics, making it one of the few eVTOL manufacturers worldwide to have secured cash deposits.

“In just one year, our engineering team has demonstrated the practical applications of hydrogen in aviation,” stated Chris Smallhorn, Chairman of AMSL Aero. “Our collaboration with Bankstown Airport is instrumental in our ongoing mission to offer longer-distance flights that cut both the cost and carbon footprint of travel across Australia and elsewhere.”

Simon Coburn, Hydrogen Lead at AMSL Aero, said the 200 kg of hydrogen used was sufficient to export 30 kW of electricity into the airport grid for three working weeks and slash the airport's power bill by about 1.8 MWh. He added: “Our fuel cell test bench has not only validated our aircraft's powertrain but has also contributed to the airport's energy needs.”

Tom Smith, CEO of Aeria Management Group, operator of Bankstown Airport, commented: “Bankstown Airport is leading the way in the national flight path towards net zero aviation. Thanks to AMSL Aero, Bankstown Airport became the first airport in Australia to introduce hydrogen as aviation fuel. A year on, we are proud to continue working with the team at AMSL Aero to land hydrogen-fuelled flights for all Australians, including essential emergency and aeromedical services in regional and rural Australia.”

AMSL Aero has also deployed the test bench to Wellington Aerodrome in rural New South Wales, Australia, for recharging Vertiia between test flights.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalhydrogenreview.com/hydrogen/28052025/amsl-aero-complete-hydrogen-aviation-testing/