Aviate Enterprises has agreed to be the U.S. launch customer for a hydrogen-electric version of the Beech Bonanza aircraft being developed by Australian start-up Stralis Aircraft. The companies announced their agreement on July 23 at the EAA AirVenture show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Stralis is now ground-testing its hydrogen-electric propulsion system on a pair of Bonanza A36 aircraft in Australia. Aiming to start test flights in late 2025, the Brisbane-based company plans to apply for a supplemental type certificate in 2026.
The propulsion system is based on Stralis’ high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells, which the company said are six times lighter than alternatives and deliver improved performance, lower costs, and lower maintenance requirements. It will replace the Bonanza’s current piston engine.
Not specified in the announcement was how many of the converted Bonanzas California-based distributor Aviate will buy. The companies said that California is well-placed to be an early adopter of hydrogen-powered aircraft since it is already developing refueling infrastructure.
“What we are doing is like April 3, 1973—the date of the first cellphone call in the world,” said Timothy Devine, founder and president of Aviate Enterprises. “We are going to change the world of aviation with hydrogen-fueled aircraft. Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, and it is green and clean.”
Stralis plans to convert the Beech 1900 regional airliner to hydrogen propulsion. It is also working on its own design for a 50-seat airliner called the SA-1-HE, which would have a range of up to 1,620 nm. According to the company, work for this program could begin in 2028 with an anticipated entry into service in 2037.