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- Sep 29, 201690% CONFIDENCEfrom the source
DLR's HY4 Completes Its First Hydrogen Fuel Cell Flight
- On 29 September 2016 the DLR's Hy4 made its first official flight from Stuttgart Airport, described as the world's first four-seat passenger aircraft powered solely by a hydrogen fuel cell[2][3]
- Developed by the DLR Institute of Engineering Thermodynamics with Hydrogenics, Pipistrel, H2FLY, University of Ulm and Stuttgart Airport; DLR built the power train and DLR spin-off H2FLY operates the aircraft[2][3]
- It was developed from the Pipistrel Taurus G4, flown on gaseous hydrogen at first; in September 2023 H2FLY flew it on liquid hydrogen, one flight lasting over three hours[2]
Notable features
- A four-seat technology demonstrator built by DLR and Pipistrel with twin fuselages, each with space for two passengers; its power train is a hydrogen storage system, a low-temperature hydrogen fuel cell and a battery, with the fuel cell's electricity driving an electric motor[2][3]
- The only emission is water, with a lithium battery covering peak loads at take-off and climb; DLR aims for regional aircraft of up to 19 passengers in the long term[3]
- Motor output of 80 kW, maximum speed of about 200 km/h and cruising speed of 145 km/h, a range of 750 to 1,500 km depending on speed, altitude and load, and a maximum weight of 1,500 kg[3]
References 385% CONFIDENCE
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- [1]90%youtube.com/watch?v=V6fZStfEefoyoutube.com· Posted Sep 15, 2026· Starts Sep 29, 2016 ✓· 50% of score
DLR's[3] own press release and the EAA both date HY4's first official flight to September 29, 2016.
- [2]80%
- [3]90%Zero-emission air transport – first flight of four-seat passenger aircraft HY4 - DLRdlr.de· Published Sep 29, 2016· 0% of score
DLR's own news release announces HY4's first flight on September 29, 2016 from Stuttgart Airport, the exact aircraft and hydrogen fuel-cell technology discussed in the documentary.
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