Vancouver Consortium Celebrates First Piloted Hydrogen Helicopter Flight in Quebec
Key Ideas
- Canadian Advanced Air Mobility celebrates the successful first piloted hydrogen-powered helicopter flight, marking a milestone in sustainable aviation.
- The experimental flight, completed by pilot Ric Webb in Quebec, demonstrated that 90% of the helicopter's energy came from hydrogen fuel cells.
- The consortium aims to revolutionize the aviation industry with hydrogen, with plans to pilot commercial operations by 2028 and focus on longer distance flights.
- Hydrogen is seen as a sustainable energy source for aviation in Canada due to its environmentally friendly nature with water vapor being the only emission.
A Vancouver-based aviation consortium, Canadian Advanced Air Mobility, is celebrating the first piloted hydrogen-powered helicopter flight in Quebec. The experimental flight, performed by pilot Ric Webb under a special permit, showcased that 90% of the helicopter's energy was provided by hydrogen fuel cells. The success of this flight is deemed a significant step towards sustainable aviation, with the consortium aiming to pioneer zero-emission air mobility. Executive Director JR Hammond expressed pride in Canada's role in shaping the future of aviation by utilizing hydrogen. The consortium's three-year testing process led to this milestone, and they now plan to focus on longer distance flights. The use of hydrogen is considered a revolution in the aviation industry, with plans to start commercial operations by 2028. Hammond highlighted hydrogen's availability in Canada and its environmentally friendly aspect, emitting only water vapor. This achievement signifies a positive shift towards sustainable aviation and showcases Canada's leadership in adopting innovative energy sources for the future.