Aviation H2, the company behind Australia’s first hydrogen-powered plane, has signed a strategic partnership with a major aircraft charter operator, FalconAir.
With momentum on its side, the company has also launched a capital raise via the online platform VCEX to fund the purchase of test engines and the construction of its first modification prototype.
Terms of the agreement:
- Aviation H2 will get access to the FalconAir Bankstown hangar, facilities and operating licences so they can begin building Australia’s first hydrogen-powered plane.
- FalconAir will help Aviation H2 acquire the test engines and aircraft that will be used to deliver the project.
- Provide specialist and licensed aircraft maintenance engineering, piloting and hangarage.
- Use their proven expertise to help communicate with aviation authorities and accelerate the certification process.
After recently completing their feasibility study, which outlines a clear path towards building one of the world’s first hydrogen-fuelled planes, Aviation H2 says they are on track to having a plane in the sky by the middle of 2023.
“This marks a monumental step towards developing a technology that will lead to the decarbonisation of the aviation industry, which contributes 2.5 per cent to global emissions,” says Aviation H2 Director Dr Helmut Mayer. “We now have a hangar, options for purchasing an aeroplane and a clear plan for how we want to build the plane.”
“In the next 12 months, we intend to convert a jet engine for testing, then modify a Falcon 50 so it runs on green hydrogen. FalconAir has extensive experience in dealing with these aircraft and a global network of relationships, which will prove instrumental in purchasing both the aircraft and the test engine. Their team will also be able to provide assistance in maintenance engineering and guide us on accelerating the approval process from aviation authorities.”
Sydney-based FalconAir is a global leader in specialist charter flights and corporate jet management, servicing Australia and the Asia Pacific region. The company offers corporate jet charter and aeromedical services, including patient and organ transfers and medical evacuations.
Once the test flight is successful in the middle of 2023, Aviation H2 will have a patentable method for modifying aircraft so they operate on carbon-free fuel. They will quickly seek to certify and commercialise this product via a planned public listing on a major exchange in Q4 of 2023.