Small aircraft, big impact.
Project Phoenix is a world’s first.
Phoenix is the world’s first liquid hydrogen fuel cell aircraft where we remove the emissions altogether by powering our aircraft with the lightest of all elements: hydrogen.
Although Project Phoenix starts as a world’s first, we firmly believe that the aviation industry needs to follow our example.
Timeline
In the summer of 2021, Phoenix PT will make its maiden voyage. From September 2020, work will begin on a full-scale, two-person hydrogen-powered aircraft: Phoenix FS. A gaseous hydrogen-powered aircraft is set to fly in 2022, followed by its liquid hydrogen counterpart in 2024.
Phoenix PT
Liquid hydrogen
1kg
Wingspan
5.7m
Range
500km
Crew
0
Weight
50kg
Endurance
7 hours
Phoenix FS
Liquid hydrogen
10kg
Wingspan
18m
Range
2000km
Crew
2
Weight
1100kg
Endurance
10 hours
Phoenix PT
Liquid hydrogen
1kg
Wingspan
5.7m
Range
500km
Crew
0
Weight
50kg
Endurance
7 hours
Phoenix FS
Liquid hydrogen
10kg
Wingspan
18m
Range
2000km
Crew
2
Weight
1100kg
Endurance
10 hours
Phoenix PT
Liquid hydrogen
1kg
Wingspan
5.7m
Range
500km
Crew
0
Weight
50kg
Endurance
8 hours
Phoenix FS
Liquid hydrogen
10kg
Wingspan
18m
Range
2000km
Crew
2
Weight
1100kg
Endurance
10 hours
Hydrogen propulsion
The 1:3 scale prototype is powered by a 1500W fuel cell coupled with a battery pack for take-off power and safety. Hydrogen is kept in a cryogenic tank at -253°C and warmed to 0°C using a complex tubing system.
Hydrogen propulsion
The 1:3 scale prototype is powered by a 1500W fuel cell coupled with a battery pack for take-off power and safety. Hydrogen is kept in a cryogenic tank at -253°C and warmed to 0°C using a complex tubing system.
Hydrogen propulsion
The 1:3 scale prototype is powered by a 1500W fuel cell coupled with a battery pack for take-off power and safety. Hydrogen is kept in a cryogenic tank at -253°C and warmed to 0°C using a complex tubing system.
Fly long, and far
Powered by an electric motor on its tail, Phoenix is able to fly for 7h with just 1kg of liquid hydrogen, covering a distance of more than 500km. These endurance and range values are unmatched by batteries and conventional fuels.
Fly long, and far
Powered by an electric motor on its tail, Phoenix is able to fly for 7h with just 1kg of liquid hydrogen, covering a distance of more than 500km. These endurance and range values are unmatched by batteries and conventional fuels.
Fly long, and far
Powered by an electric motor on its tail, Phoenix is able to fly for 7h with just 1kg of liquid hydrogen, covering a distance of more than 500km. These endurance and range values are unmatched by batteries and conventional fuels.
Why hydrogen?
A number of solutions to the sustainable aviation problem have been advocated in the past. Broadly speaking, these solutions fit into three categories: kerosene equivalents, batteries and hydrogen. Biofuels and synthetic kerosene, although a potential temporary solution to the aviation industry’s carbon emissions, are not sustainable in the long-term. The impact on air quality as a result of NOx emissions by combusting kerosene or kerosene equivalents is up to 4.4 times higher than the impact of CO2 emissions on the environment.
Batteries are not suited for aviation on their own due to their weight. However, battery and hydrogen technologies are closely linked since both make use of the same electric engines. Hydrogen in gaseous and liquid state as well as contained in carrier fluids is seen by many to be the long-term solution. A single wind turbine would be able to provide the power for a commercial aircraft. Fuel cell technology has the potential to change not only aviation but transportation in general, leading to a sustainable, future hydrogen economy.
Why hydrogen?
A number of solutions to the sustainable aviation problem have been advocated in the past. Broadly speaking, these solutions fit into three categories: kerosene equivalents, batteries and hydrogen.
Kerosene equivalents
Biofuels and synthetic kerosene, although a potential temporary solution to the aviation industry’s carbon emissions, are not sustainable in the long-term. The impact on air quality as a result of NOx emissions by combusting kerosene or kerosene equivalents is up to 4.4 times higher than the impact of CO2 emissions on the environment.
Batteries
Batteries are not suited for aviation on their own due to their weight. However, battery and hydrogen technologies are closely linked since both make use of the same electric engines.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen in gaseous and liquid state as well as contained in carrier fluids is seen by many to be the long-term solution. A single wind turbine would be able to provide the power for a commercial aircraft. Fuel cell technology has the potential to change not only aviation but transportation in general, leading to a sustainable, future hydrogen economy.
The Future
2025: First hydrogen-powered flight around the world
2035: First commercial, hydrogen-powered aircraft.
Scalability
Although our aircraft are small, our ambition is not. For example, we are working internationally to develop certification guidelines for hydrogen propulsion. We firmly believe that our work can be used to have the first hydrogen-powered passenger aircraft such as the Greenliner, shown above, flying by 2030, potentially by a spin-off start-up.
Your clean sky
We are always looking for partners to go on this adventure with us. Find out more about the possibilities of getting involved here.
Your clean sky
We are always looking for partners to go on this adventure with us. Find out more about the possibilities of getting involved here.
Your clean sky
We are always looking for partners to go on this adventure with us. Find out more about the possibilities of getting involved here.