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.
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