Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News

~ John W. Howell
The plane that made the hydrogen-powered flight. credit: ZeroAvia

Today’s good news story comes from the Good News Network. Here it is in its entirety.

Aviation Startup ZeroAvia Flies Largest-Ever Hydrogen Electric Aircraft

By

Andy Corbley

An aviation start-up just set a new world-first for the largest hydrogen-powered aircraft flight in history—a 19-seat aircraft called the Dornier 228.

Designed by ZeroAvia, the start-up is developing hydrogen-powered engines for regional flights and has taken off over the last 12 months.

This most recent flight was a 10-minute affair from the Cotswolds Airport in Gloucestershire, England, but was only the most recent manifestation of their success.

ZeroAvia counts American and United airlines as their investors, and by 2025, the firm has 1,500 pre-orders of their hydrogen-electric powertrains to fulfill. In addition, the prototype powertrains have received approval from the UK and US civil aviation authorities.

“This is a major moment, not just for ZeroAvia, but for the aviation industry as a whole, as it shows that true zero-emission commercial flight is only a few years away,” ZeroAvia founder and CEO Val Miftakhov said in a statement Thursday.

The flight comes after news in August that the company signed a memorandum of understanding with American Airlines for 100 of the powertrains being developed for 90-seat aircraft.

“Having support from [one of the] world’s largest airline is a strong indication of the progress we’re making on the development of hydrogen-electric, zero-emission flight,” added ZeroAvia Founder and CEO Val Miftakhov. “We are focused on delivering sustainable travel and are delighted that American, a visionary leader in the industry, sees ZeroAvia as a part of the future of aviation.”

Hydrogen as a fuel source is currently one of two more sustainable alternatives to powering aviation. Accounting for 2.8% of all global emissions, passenger aircraft need high-octane, energy-dense fuel sources because of the weight limitations that batteries can’t account for.

The ZA2000-RJ powertrain from ZeroAvia is predicted to have a 500-mile range on a full tank, which United Airlines said would restore the economic viability of smaller regional flights.

“A lot of small cities have lost service because of the cost, and we think that these technologies will allow United to bring back more frequent service and service to airports that don’t have any service today,” Michael Leskinen, president of United Airlines Ventures, told CBS.

For reference, 500-mile jumps could service distances such as Pittsburgh to Chicago, Amarillo to Austin, or Fort Myers to Savannah. In Europe, the benefits compound because of the size of the continent. ZeroAvia could easily service Milan to Naples, Munich to Hamburg, or Newcastle to Exeter.

The good news here is zero emissions are possible for air travel. Today’s JohnKu talks about innovation. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Discovery by John W. Howell © 2023

Like we always have,

Is not an excuse anymore . . .

Innovation rules.

104 thoughts on “Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News”

    2. So sorry, GP. I had to pass on posting for John’s book tour. Robert’s illness (pneumonia) has taken over my time. I can tell you, John’s book sequel is a paranormal success. I just finished reading it. The story is compelling, the time continuum in the historical events was a very interesting concept. I loved the angel characters, how Lucifer was portrayed, and how Jesus stood beside the angels against Lucifer. A book sequel worth reading. 📚🎶 Christine

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      2. Thank you very much, Christine. I can well understand how Robert’s illness has taken up your time. I had pneumonia in Dec., so I can relate! I hope he recovers quickly!! Please give him my best – and you get some rest!

        Liked by 2 people

        2. Thanks so much, GP. Sorry that you had to deal with pneumonia. Robert has been given the week off from work and he’s improving somewhat. With 3 strong antibiotics & prednisone you feel worse until better. I’m getting enough rest to function, thank you. 📚🎶 Christine

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  10. This is an interesting development. Anything that helps with pollution is a good thing. Also, sorry to hijack this post, but your tour link does not seem to be working. Comments are closed over there, so I left it here.

    Liked by 2 people

    2. So sorry I couldn’t participate in John’s blog tour. My Vietnam Vet (significant other) is in “sickbay” at home with pneumonia. The perils of giving service to our country back in the 60s. My time taken up monitoring him. He is improving with strong antibiotics, prednisone and Nebulizer treatments. I plan to include the Vietnam war happenings in my book sequel in progress. A time of protest by many people. John’s paranormal sequel is a compelling story. I just finished reading it. The characters are all interesting and have forward going arcs. The time continuum linked to historical events definitely held my interest. It’s a book worth reading. 📚🎶 Christine

      Liked by 2 people

        1. Graig, thank you! And John’s book is paranormal at its best—time shifts & time continuums that can’t change world events. The angels continue to save souls working against the “devil.” It’s a great read. 📚🎶Christine

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  16. That is indeed impressive , John. You can’t beat innovation. I will start saving up right away for my own private hydrogen electric jet. Never knew there was an airport in the Cotswolds. Have a great weekend.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Cotswold Airport is a private general aviation airport, near the village of Kemble in Gloucestershire, England. Located 4.5 NM southwest of Cirencester, it was built as a Royal Air Force station and was known as RAF Kemble. The Red Arrows aerobatics team was based there until 1983

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  25. I hadn’t heard about this before, John. Quite interesting. It made me think of blimps and the Hindenburg (probably because I just read a book on the Hindenburg not that long ago), but technology has certainly improved since then.

    It’s interesting that in the heyday of dirigibles, they were seen as highly innovative.

    I love the clean energy aspect of this new innovation. I guess there really is always something new under the sun! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  26. Good news and indifferent news. I love the idea of environmentally friendly flight. Living in the flight path of a major airport I can attest that commercial flight is a dirty business. Even with the new and improved whisper jets they leave a trail of hydrocarbons in their wake. Think diesel engine trucks. Just visually less conspicuous. Right up until the time all that combusted and non combusted material settles back down to earth. Okay it is progress. That does not make it clean progress. As for the indifferent some day after several three finger beverages I will tell you about how fond I am of flying. Still all in all a good news story. Happy Friday

    Liked by 1 person

      1. I have two. First one – gravity is my friend. I don’t like arguing with my friends. Save the statistics they will not convince me. The second one my beloved spouse convinced me to fly out to Colorado. Flight was just fine. That is as long as one does not count the screaming sinus infection that was include as an absolutely free bonus. The dreams the first three nights of vacation were like out of this world. Oh and restful NOT. Other than that I love flying.

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