Lancaster, California-based Hydroplane is showing its modular 200-kW hydrogen fuel cell powerplant for the experimental aircraft, general aviation, and urban air mobility markets at EAA AirVenture.
The company said that it is conducting a “pre-launch” at the show, allowing interested parties to sign up for a no-obligation waitlist to enable them to have the opportunity to purchase the powerplant when it becomes available. Hydroplane said it is on track to fly its demonstrator aircraft—a Piper PA-28-180—powered by the fuel cell in 2023.
“Our fuel cell electric powerplant for single-engine aircraft is your opportunity to combat climate change, at altitude, by emitting only water,” said Hydroplane CEO Anita Sengupta. “We are excited to now offer people the opportunity to be the first to transition to sustainable, carbon emission-free propulsion.”
Hydroplane is in part funded by the U.S. Air Force’s Agility Prime Program and led by space program veterans. The company is developing a lightweight and compact electric propulsion powerplant and fuel cell stack designed for single-engine aircraft.