Aviation H2 works towards advancing hydrogen-powered airplanes

The company said the team’s appointment will form a key part of its plan to decarbonise the aviation industry by leveraging the rapidly growing demand for hydrogen technology.

The team is led by principal engineers, Dr Helmut Mayer and Christof Mayer, who have 60 years of combined experience in large-scale machine design for industrial purposes.

Dr Mayer believes a carbon-free aircraft can be in the air in the next 18 months by modifying existing airplanes to be powered by hydrogen-based technologies, which are already transforming the motor vehicle industry.

“Working with Liberty Energy Capital to develop hydrogen-based propulsion for aircraft is a very exciting opportunity,”

“We plan to execute on ideas we have been talking about for years. Our approach will be to demonstrate existing technology step-by-step and then to make an aircraft fly on carbon-free fuel”.

The Mayer brothers currently have three potential solutions for converting a traditional aircraft into a renewable model and will conduct a series of tests to identify which state-of-the-art technology is best suited for powering an airplane in a way that can be commercialised.

“The time has come to be serious about production, management and use of carbon-free fuels,” Mayer said.

“A step-by-step approach using existing technologies as much as possible is required to progress the effort toward commercial application. Aviation H2 will be an unprecedented tool for achieving these outcomes.”

Aviation H2, which is owned and funded by Liberty Energy Capital, said the team’s expertise would be a key step in creating an internationally competitive hydrogen-powered aviation industry in Australia.

Liberty Energy Capital and its nominees has investments in emerging green businesses including H2X Global, Sweetman Renewables Ltd., Port Anthony Renewables Ltd., Titan Hydrogen Ltd. and Verdant Earth Technologies.

Strengthening board

Separately, the company has elected Captain Gregory Keogh as a new member of its board.

Keogh has over 30 years of airline experience including seven as training examiner on the B777 aircraft for Emirates Airlines.

He has also held aviation managerial and chief pilot roles, giving him expertise in aviation compliance issues in Australia and internationally.

“Regulators around the globe will be watching our flights closely. Using aircraft that are already certified, will ensure a cohesive and professional working relationship with aviation regulators, allowing all concerned to collaborate effectively on this exciting journey,” he noted.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalhydrogenreview.com/special-reports/10112021/aviation-h2-works-towards-advancing-hydrogen-powered-airplanes/