The world's first emission-free, 4-seater electric plane powered by fuel cells took off at Stuttgart Airport, Germany, in September 2016.
Flying high on hydrogen —
The world's first emission-free, 4-seater electric plane powered by fuel cells took off at Stuttgart Airport, Germany, in September 2016.
Courtesy DLR/Jean-Marie Urlacher
The twin-cabin plane known as HY4 uses a hybrid system of hydrogen fuel cells and a lithium battery to fly.
Flying high on hydrogen —
The twin-cabin plane known as HY4 uses a hybrid system of hydrogen fuel cells and a lithium battery to fly.
Courtesy DLR/AnnetteCardinale
The 4-seater aircraft was developed by aircraft maker Pipistrel, fuel cell specialist Hydrogenics, the University of Ulm and the German Aerospace Center DLR.
Preparing for take-off —
The 4-seater aircraft was developed by aircraft maker Pipistrel, fuel cell specialist Hydrogenics, the University of Ulm and the German Aerospace Center DLR.
Courtesy DLR/AnnetteCardinale
The ten-minute flight involved two military test pilots and two dummy passengers.<br />
Preparing for take-off —
The ten-minute flight involved two military test pilots and two dummy passengers.
Courtesy DLR/GermanAerospaceCentre
HY4 uses hydrogen to generate electricity in flight.
Flying high on hydrogen —
HY4 uses hydrogen to generate electricity in flight.
Courtesy DLR/GermanAerospaceCentre
The aircraft has a cruising speed of 165 kilometers per hour and a range of up to 1,500 kilometers.
Inside HY4 —
The aircraft has a cruising speed of 165 kilometers per hour and a range of up to 1,500 kilometers.
Courtesy DLR/GermanAerospaceCentre
The aircraft's wing has a single central propeller with a two-seater fuselage on both sides.
Inside HY4 —
The aircraft's wing has a single central propeller with a two-seater fuselage on both sides.
Courtesy DLR/Jean-Marie Urlacher
Each fuselage has a hydrogen storage tank that feeds the fuel cells that generate electricity.
Inside HY4 —
Each fuselage has a hydrogen storage tank that feeds the fuel cells that generate electricity.
Courtesy DLR/AnnetteCardinale
The only waste product is water vapor.
Inside HY4 —
The only waste product is water vapor.
Courtesy DLR/GermanAerospaceCentre
While the plane is powered by fuel cells during flight, it relies on a lithium battery for an extra power boost during take-off.
Take-off —
While the plane is powered by fuel cells during flight, it relies on a lithium battery for an extra power boost during take-off.
Courtesy DLR/GermanAerospaceCentre
The researchers envision that the technology will be used to power regional inter-city flights used as air taxis in the near future.
Future air taxis —
The researchers envision that the technology will be used to power regional inter-city flights used as air taxis in the near future.
Courtesy DLR/Jean-Marie Urlacher