Regional Australian airline Skytrans has partnered with Stralis Aircraft, to develop and trial Australia’s first hydrogen-electric propulsion aeroplane.
The zero-emissions hydrogen-electric propulsion system (HEPS) will be installed on a Beech 1900D Airliner with the trial flight to occur in North Queensland, demonstrating the technology is reliable for tough local conditions and the area’s pristine ecosystems.
Skytrans – which is part-owned by Former Queensland and Cowboys star Johnathan Thurston, is part of an Australian collaboration pioneering hydrogen propulsion technology for commercial aircraft.
Chief Executive Officer Alan Milne said: “We are proud to be leading the nation in developing its hydrogen industry and we want to play a leading role in showing that this technology can work in aviation.
“The impacts of climate change are concerning for local communities and that’s why we are playing a major role in reducing the environmental impact of aviation.”
As part of the project, Stralis Aircraft will design, build and flight test an integrated HEPS centred around an airworthy electric motor. They are looking for strategic partners to develop a megawatt-class fuel cell system suitable for their application.
Stralis Aircraft co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Stuart Johnstone said the project also presents new opportunities for the local industry to upskill and scale-up advanced manufacturing capabilities, bringing aircraft manufacturing onto Australian shores.
“Queensland is ramping up its capacity to produce green hydrogen, ‘bottled sunshine, from local wind and solar resources. Stralis will take advantage of this to help companies like Skytrans continue to provide affordable air travel as the world transitions to Net Zero,” he said.
“This could be a win for Queensland industry and support their efforts to transition to a low carbon economy.”
The retrofit Stralis B1900D-HE will have a range of 800 km and will have the capacity to carry 15 passengers. The first test flight is expected to be completed in early 2025, with certification and entry into service in 2026.
