A team led by Spanish/Australian startup Dovetail Electric Aviation has been awarded a grant to retrofit a Cessna Caravan with hydrogen fuel cell propulsion.
It will enable the startup’s WM2500 2-megawatt-class electric propulsion system to be tested driving the fan module from a Honeywell LF507-1F geared turbofan.
The installation of a fuel cell system in a flying testbed is being prepared by German startup Hyfly as it progresses development of a hydrogen-electric powertrain for light aircraft.
Key collaborations have been announced by Australia’s fledgling sustainable aviation industry to advance development of electric- and hydrogen-powered aircraft.
The piloted conventional-takeoff-and-landing aircraft, registration N214BT, joins the first Alia CX300 off Beta’s production line in South Burlington, Vermont.