Intelligent Energy (IE), a hydrogen fuel cell company based in Loughborough, U.K., has teamed up with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to drive the safe implementation of hydrogen-powered passenger aircraft as part of the UK Hydrogen Challenge. This collaboration, supported by the government, aims to prepare the aerospace industry for the shift to hydrogen as a zero-carbon aviation fuel. IE's IE-FLIGHT 300 (F300) project, expected to deliver its first units in 2027, is designed to power 19-seat Part 23 aircraft and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles. Through the partnership, IE will focus on establishing safety and certification standards for fuel cell-based propulsion systems, crucial for meeting regulatory requirements in commercial aviation. Jonathan Douglas-Smith, IE's head of business development for IE-FLIGHT, highlighted the necessity of close cooperation between innovators and regulators to achieve zero-emission aviation. The UK Hydrogen Challenge, initiated in 2024, will conduct trials over three years to solidify the country's position as a frontrunner in hydrogen-powered flight, emphasizing the significance of refining hydrogen fuel cell systems for aviation safety standards and expediting their certification.