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.
I am excited to be with Joan Hall to talk about The Last Drive. You can visit her post HERE.
Joan and I are both members of Story Empire. Since the time I joined, I have always been impressed by Joan’s professional approach to writing. Also, she is quick to help fellow writers with questions about their stories or any concerns in general. Joan is always giving the group links to some of the latest improvements in applications designed to help make the job of writing easier.
Joan is the author of ten books, and you can see them on her Amazon page
Here is a little more about Joan.
Joan Hall has always enjoyed reading or listening to stories about inexplicable events, so it’s not surprising she writes mystery and romantic suspense. A lover of classic rock music, songs often serve as the inspiration for her books.
When she’s not writing, Joan likes to observe the night skies, explore old cemeteries, and learn about legends and folklore. She and her husband live in Texas with their two cats. Learn more about Joan at her website, http://JoanHall.net.
Joan’s latest. Click for Amazon
Thank you, Joan, for helping spread The Last Drive word.
I have closed the comments so that Joan will have your original thoughts.
I am delighted to be visiting Keith Channing’s blog today. He is helping spread the word about The Last Drive. You can visit the post HERE.
Each Monday, Keith publishes a photo and asks for submissions. I have been submitting a story using his photo as a prompt since August 6th, 2015. Prior to my joining in Keith had published 39 photos. He just finished number 392. So I have participated with Keith in 353 stories over the last seven years. Keith has also published 13 books. You can see them all on his Amazon page.
More about Keith in his own words.
“My work background was in insurance and IT. When I retired in 2005 at the tender age of 56, my wife Clare and I sold up and moved to a small hamlet in the middle of France, where we stayed for thirteen years. In 2019, we relocated to South Yorkshire with our two dogs.
During my working life, I spent five years living in Dubai and two years in Tanzania, which had an enormous effect on shaping my world view and my way of looking at life.
As a writer of fiction, I make up and write lies (and some poetry – mostly limericks) for the sheer pleasure of doing it. These lies generally end up on my blog at keithkreates.com, as do a few of the photographs I take from time to time.”
Keith’s latest- click for Amazon.
Thank you, Keith, for helping to spread the word on The Last Drive.
I have closed the comments so that every word in Keith’s comment section is original.
Today Noelle Granger is helping to spread the word about The Last Drive. You can visit her post HERE.
Noelle has published four books. The very popular The Last Pilgrim and three in the Rea Brewster Mystery series. She has also published short stories and essays, and blogs on WordPress at Sayling Away.
You can see all Noelle’s books on her Amazon page.
Here is more information about Noelle in her own words.
“I started writing as a way of letting my children know where I came from and what shaped me. I grew up in a small coastal Massachusetts town, where the Pilgrims just happened to have landed some 340 years earlier. My family and I lived in a 100-year-old house that was three stories high, square and unyielding even to hurricane-force winds, and its many windows reflected the sky and ocean. At night, you fell asleep to the sound of waves or the lonely fog horn on Gurnet lighthouse. My seasons were spent on or in the water, so sailing and swimming are themes in some of what I write, with New England overtones. For the last thirty years, I have lived in North Carolina, a place I’ve come to love, and that New England accent has acquired a Southern lilt.
I had a long and active career in academia, and if you want to know more about that, you can Google me. For now, I am just a writer trying to find her voice.
Noelle’s latest. Click for Amazon
Thank you, Noelle, for helping to spread the word on The Last Drive.
I have closed comments so you can save your words to be shared with Noelle.
I’m delighted to be at Darlene’s place today. She is letting me visit to talk about The Last Drive. You can visit Darlene and me right HERE.
Darlene has written ten books books. Nine of them feature her character Amanda in various travel destinations. The books are very popular and as a result Darlene has been invited to speak at libraries and other venues. You can read more about the books and Amanda’ travels on Darlene’s Amazon page.
A little more about Darlene in her own words
A bit about me. I am a writer of children’s stories, a retired employment counsellor, and ESL tutor, a wife, mother and grandmother. I love travelling, reading, shoes, cooking, sewing, music, chocolate, walking on the beach and making new friends. My grandson once called me “super-mega-woman-supreme”. I was brought up on a ranch near Medicine Hat, Alberta, where I dreamt of travelling the world and meeting interesting people. I currently divide my time between Orihuela Costa in Spain and the west coast of British Columbia, Canada. My husband, Paul, and I enjoy spending time with our adorable rescue dogs, Dot and Lia.
Darlene’s latest -click for Amazon.
Thank you, Darlene for helping spread the word on The Last Drive.
I hace closed the comments so that you only have to make genius comments in one place – Darlene’s.
Well, we are back to finish the scavenger hunt. If you missed part I, you can go HERE and check it out. We will be doing the even numbers today. We are catered by Nixta of Austin. Our entertainment is Chicago.
So jump on, and let’s go.
So, right away, we have a problem. This should be number two, but it looks like someone took it. So, after we complete the puzzle, we will have to figure out which letter goes with the number 2.
Ah. At least we have number 4.
Number six, taking a nap.
Number 8 overlooks the drought-ravished Lake Travis.
A certain number, 10.
Number 12 in the mountain laurel.
High flying number 14.
Number 16 on the ground.
Looks like a ground pandemic. Number 18 is there as well.
Number 20 in the trees.
Number 22 has been benched.
Number 24 on a spindly oak.
Numer 26 marks the end of the hunt.
The missing letter was U. The puzzle is solved. I hope you had a good time. Now relax, have some food and listen to the music.
I was surprised and so pleased by Tim Dittmer’s excellent review of The Last Drive that I want to share it with you. Tim has written one of the best books I have read, Valley Walker. It is a fantastic blend of adventure and mystical fiction. It would be worth checking out. Thank you so much for this review, Tim.
I recently finished reading John Howell’s The Last Drive and was so impressed I wanted to share my review.
The Cover
Here’s my review:
This sequel to “Eternal Road the Final Stop” is engrossing, with an absorbing plot and a great ending.
James and Sam (Samantha) are angels. At the request of the Archangel Michael, they take on the task of rescuing two souls on the Eternal Road who have disappeared. The two lost souls are newly deceased Ryan Sanders, a heroic Air Force fighter pilot, and his guide Eddie Rickenbacker, the famous World War I fighter pilot.
As in Final Road, their task takes them on a journey to many renowned events in history and into the future. The historical events are thoroughly researched and presented artfully. The group also comes face to face with the Devil, who is determined to take their souls into…
Teri Polen is helping spread the word about The Last Drive. You can visit her post HERE.
As most of you know, Teri is the host of Bad Moon Rising a blogging event held in October. Teri has four books published by Black Rose Writing. She is also one of thirteen authors in a short story anthology. You can get more information about her books at her Author Page on Amazon.
A little more about Teri in her words.
Several years back, a friend told me I should read the Harry Potter series – I think the third one was out by then. I laughed, saying they were for kids, but she convinced me to give them a try, and for that, I’ll always be thankful. Reading YA opened up a whole new world for me, and I haven’t looked back.
Some of my favorite things in life are books (no romance), music (preferably alt/rock and absolutely no country), movies (rarely chick flicks), red wine (no merlot), and dark chocolate (please don’t add any fruit to what is already perfection). On the flip side of that, I strongly dislike the color pink and loathe shopping – unless it’s in a bookstore or someplace I can buy movies, music, wine, or chocolate. That being said, it’s pretty evident why my female friends think I’m a little strange.
Teri’s latest – Click for Amazon.
Thank you, Teri, for helping spread the word.
I have closed comments to keep your comments on Teri’s post as original as possible.
