Words by Paul Eden
It is important to be very clear about the technological drive behind Stuttgart-based H2FLY. The air taxi, business and regional aircraft concepts shown in the ‘Vision’ section of its website illustrate likely future applications of the company’s technology but H2FLY is all about power, specifically hydrogen-fueled powertrains for aircraft.
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Flight test has always been a critical element in H2FLY’s campaign. It employs the HY4, a unique aircraft modified from the Taurus G4 manufactured by Pipistrel. The Slovenian OEM built the twin-fuselage, four-seat G4 based on its Taurus Electro electrically powered self-launching glider as a testbed for its own electric powertrains before its modification in 2016 for hydrogen power. The aircraft flew with a hydrogen powertrain for the first time in September 2016 and has continued as H2FLY’s workhorse…