(Mojave / USA) – US aircraft supplier Universal Hydrogen Co. is relocating its test center to California's Mojave Air & Space Port. The company has now transferred its fuel cell-powered turboprop aircraft, the De Havilland DHC-8-300 ("Dash 8-300"), designed to carry 40 passengers, to the site. Universal Hydrogen is working on certifying a powertrain that will allow existing regional aircraft to be converted to run on hydrogen. Commercial operation is planned for the end of 2025.
The Dash-8 with fuel cells completed its first test flight in Moses Lake. © Universal Hydrogen Co.
The Dash-8 conducted its first test flight in March at its former base in Moses Lake, Washington, with special permission from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) . On its second flight, the modified aircraft, also known as "Lightning McClean," achieved a flight time of 30 minutes at a speed of 170 knots and climbed to an altitude of 5.000 feet, according to the company. During the third and fourth flight tests on June 12, it reached an altitude of 10.000 feet.
Ferry flight over 800 miles
The ferry flight traveled from Moses Lake along the West Coast with four stops in Oregon and California, a distance of more than 800 miles to the Mojave. The hydrogen drive was fully utilized at every start and was throttled back on the first three stages after take-off. On the final leg, the fuel cells were used throughout the flight. Over 180 miles were covered in more than an hour of flight time.
Universal Hydrogen cites the proximity to the company headquarters in Hawthorne, California, which is around two hours' drive away, as the motive for the move to Mojave. They also hope to benefit from the pool of technicians in Mojave and nearby Los Angeles.
California as a US hydrogen center
California is a leader in both renewable hydrogen production and sustainable aviation. The state has announced its participation in the U.S. Department of Energy's hydrogen hub competition by establishing the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Systems (ARCHES), whose partner and sponsor is Universal Hydrogen. Furthermore, the company received a $2 million (€4,58 million) development grant from the California Office of Business Development.
The Mojave Air & Space Port, which opened in 1935, is known for test flights of some futuristic-looking designs and as a base for the aerospace industry. In addition, a large area serves as a “parking lot” for temporarily decommissioned machines, but also as a “cemetery” where decommissioned aircraft are scrapped.
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Universal Hydrogen selected the Mojave Air & Space Port as its new flight test center and transferred a modified hydrogen-powered Dash-8 there. © Universal Hydrogen Co.
