Partners hail success of hydrogen helicopter first flight

[Caribbeans]

Partners hail success of hydrogen helicopter first flight

FlightGlobal.com | Dominic Perry | 3 April 2025

Unither Bioelectronique (UB) is claiming several aviation firsts following the first flight of a piloted hydrogen fuel cell-powered helicopter.

Taking place at Bromont airport in Quebec, Canada on 27 March, the maiden sortie of the modified Robinson Helicopter R44 (C-FXUB) lasted 3min and 16s.

UB replaced the R44’s piston engine with a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain that also includes a small battery pack to manage transient power demands. During the flight, around 90% of the energy required was provided by the two fuel cell stacks.

UB says the sortie “represents a critical step toward developing conforming designs and certification protocols for hydrogen-powered aircraft.”

In addition, it claims several aviation firsts, including the world’s first flight demonstration of a piloted hydrogen-powered helicopter; Canada’s first piloted hydrogen-powered flight; and a successful validation of the fuel cell technology for the vertical-lift application...more
https://www.flightglobal.com/helicopters/partners-hail-success-of-hydrogen-helicopter-first-flight/162479.article

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[yourout]

1. I got to get me one of these.