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Developing our
collective
understanding of
what is required
driving the
necessary actions
AND
responsibilities
Building our
collective capability
AND
capacity
Collaborating
to advance
hydrogen
electric flight
Key players in the Australian aviation and green hydrogen industries have officially come together to form a Hydrogen Flight Alliance (HFA), launched at Brisbane Airport on 8th June 2023.
The aim of the alliance is to ensure Australia plays a leading role in the aviation industry’s transition towards net-zero by 2050, and to develop the green hydrogen flight ecosystem required to enable operation of new Australian made emission free aircraft.
Raechel Paris,
Executive General Manager, Governance & Sustainability at Brisbane Airport Corporation says:
“Brisbane Airport supports the ambition of a zero emissions aviation future with aircraft that are cleaner, cheaper and quieter to run. With Queensland home to the largest number of regional flights in Australia, Brisbane is the perfect testing ground for zero emissions aircraft.”
Green hydrogen production, distribution, transportation, storage, and dispensing.
Green hydrogen energy and aircraft integration in and around the airport and airspace.
Aircraft design, certification, MANUFACTURING, maintenance, ground handling, refuelling and flight OPERATIONS.
Launch Capture
Launch Capture
Bob Criner,
Co-Founder & CEO
of Stralis Aircraft stated:
“The HFA allows us to answer the most common question we hear from airline customers, which is how they will access affordable green hydrogen at airports in the future. This is not a problem we can solve on our own, it requires industry collaboration.”
Alan Milne,
Chief Executive Officer
of Skytrans airline 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.” Skytrans – which is part-owned by Former Queensland and Cowboys star Johnathan Thurston, is proud to be part of a Australian collaboration pioneering hydrogen propulsion technology for commercial aircraft.
The initial focus is to facilitate Australia’s first commercial emission free hydrogen powered flight between Brisbane Airport and Gladstone Airport in 2026. This route will be operated by Skytrans Airlines using a 15 seat Stralis B1900D-HE aircraft, designed, and built in Brisbane.
In preparation, Stralis Aircraft will begin flight testing their hydrogen electric 6 seat Beechcraft Bonanza demonstrator aircraft in early 2024. Test flights for both aircraft will occur in Southeast Queensland, allowing the alliance to gain real world experience preparing, operating and refuelling hydrogen aircraft.
Green hydrogen has the potential to contribute significantly to the decarbonisation of air travel. However, challenges around the fuel’s availability, future cost and airport supply and refuelling infrastructure need to be solved. Consortiums like the HFA bring together the diverse mix of expertise and energy required to make progress in these areas.
Australia is an ideal location to trial hydrogen flight, due to its abundance of renewable energy and developing green hydrogen industry. Formation of the alliance in Queensland provides the foundation for success, world class jobs, training programs and emission free aircraft manufacturing.
Talal Yusaf,
Executive Dean of Higher Education and
Emerging Technologies at Aviation Australia says:
“We’re thrilled to bring our world class aviation industry and technology training expertise to this alliance and look forward being a part of this adventure.”
Australia is an ideal location to trial hydrogen flight, due to its abundance of renewable energy and developing green hydrogen industry. Formation of the alliance in Queensland provides the foundation for success, world class jobs, training programs and emission free aircraft manufacturing.
CoDR = Concept Design Review
PDR = Preliminary Design Review
CDR = Critical Design Review
HEPS = Hydrogen Electric Propulsion System
STC = Supplemental Type Certificate
EIS = Entry Into Service
Mark Cachia, CEO of Gladstone Airport Corporation said:
“Another great milestone in aviation with the first emission free electric aircraft, operating between Brisbane and Gladstone, by Skytrans. Gladstone is destined to become the world’s leading hydrogen hub, so what better place to fly to.”
Stralis Aircraft makes emission free hydrogen electric powertrains and aircraft, designed and manufactured in Brisbane, Australia.
Skytrans is an Australian owned and operated airline that operates RPT and charter services from Cairns, Horn Island, and Brisbane.
GAC delivers a world-class regional airport experience and fosters the growth of aviation for the benefit of the Gladstone Region.
Central Queensland University runs the Aviation for the Future program online, at Cairns Airport and with flight school partners around Australia.
Aviation Australia is a world-class registered training organisation and the only Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approved training organisation in Australia.
Griffith University has a longstanding history working in climate change research and preparedness and have the largest aviation university unit in Australia with over 800 students engaged in aviation engineering, operations, pilot training and aviation management.
QUT is one of Australia’s leaders in avionics research, which includes designing, engineering, and maintaining aerospace electrical systems, aircraft control systems, avionics navigation, aerodynamics, and aircraft design.
Brisbane Airport is committed to creating a sustainable, world-leading airport that takes the challenges of decarbonising air travel seriously as we collaborate with partners across the aviation industry to better protect the planet.
BOC covers the entire hydrogen value chain – from generation and liquefaction through to transportation and storage solutions and fuelling hydrogen-powered vehicles. BOC is paving the way for a greener future.
h2ec is committed to improving the future climate, contributing positively to a decarbonised economy and delivering a cleaner future for generations to come. The approach is independent and integrated, offering comprehensive solutions for green hydrogen supply, from demonstrations and trials to commercial operations.
For enquiries,
please contact
Dr Emma Whittlesea
Chair of the hydrogen flight alliance
Stralis Aircraft
For enquiries,
please contact
Dr Emma Whittlesea
Chair of the hydrogen flight alliance
Stralis Aircraft