(Mojave / USA) – The US aircraft supplier Universal Hydrogen Co. is moving its test center to the Mojave Air & Space Port in California. The company has now transferred its fuel cell-powered, 40-passenger turboprop aircraft De Havilland DHC-8-300 (“Dash 8-300”) there. Universal Hydrogen is working on certifying a powertrain that can convert existing regional aircraft to run on hydrogen. Commercial commissioning 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 had its first in March with special permission from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Test flight carried out at the previous base in Moses Lake, Washington state. On its second flight, the converted aircraft, also known as “Lightning McClean,” achieved a flight time of 30 minutes at an airspeed of 170 knots and climbed to 5.000 feet, according to the company. The third and fourth flight tests on June 12 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 Hydrogen Center Competition (“H2 Hubs“) was announced through the founding of the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Systems (ARCHES), of which Universal Hydrogen is a partner and sponsor. The company also received a development grant of five million dollars (4,58 million euros) 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.
