ZeroAvia's ZA600 Fuel Cell Powertrain: On Track for Certification and Service by 2027
Key Ideas
- ZeroAvia's ZA600 fuel cell powertrain is halfway to certification and aims for service entry by 2027.
- The company is boosted by UK government funding to develop a new liquid hydrogen storage system for aviation.
- Flight testing with modified aircraft and consortium partnerships are key strategies in achieving certification and advancing hydrogen propulsion technology.
- ZeroAvia plans to raise $150 million in private funding, with future intentions to pursue an IPO as the first engine gets certified.
During the Paris air show, Val Miftakhov, the chief executive of ZeroAvia, revealed that the company's ZA600 fuel cell powertrain is well-progressed towards certification and targets service entry by 2027. The UK government's additional funding support will aid in the development of a new liquid hydrogen storage system. ZeroAvia is currently in discussions with the UK Civil Aviation Authority to establish the certification basis for their propulsion system. Flight testing with modified aircraft, like the Dornier 228, is crucial for achieving certification. ZeroAvia's collaboration with consortium partners for the Liquid Hydrogen System Integration & Flight Test project is set to deliver innovative lightweight metallic fuel tank solutions. Additionally, the company's plans to convert a De Haviland Canada Dash 8-400 for hydrogen propulsion are underway. ZeroAvia also aims to secure $150 million in private funding and plans for an IPO post engine certification.