Last month, HYSKY Society held its second annual FLYING HY 2024 Conference in Las Vegas, bringing together leading innovators in hydrogen aviation for a multi-day event filled with discussions, presentations, and networking. The event focused on using hydrogen to transform the future of flight. Experts from eVTOLs, drones, regional, and commercial aviation gathered to push toward zero-carbon hydrogen flight, and the momentum was clear.
The Speakers
Mikael Cardinal: Keynote Speaker, VP of Organ Delivery Systems at Unither Bioelectronics
Mikael Cardinal, Vice President of Organ Delivery Systems at Unither Bioelectronics (UB), delivered the inspirational keynote presentation at FLYING HY 2024. As a subsidiary of United Therapeutics (UT), UB has been advancing life-saving, zero-carbon organ delivery systems using hydrogen. Both Unither Bioelectronics and United Therapeutics are led by the visionary Dr. Martine Rothblatt, whose pioneering work has been instrumental in aligning biotech innovation with hydrogen aviation.
Cardinal’s presentation, titled "Biotech Meets Aviation: Pioneering Hydrogen-Powered Helicopters for Life-Saving Missions," showcased UT's pioneering role in pulmonary disease treatment and its significant investment in hydrogen-powered aviation through UB. Cardinal emphasized that UB's technology extends beyond medical applications, positioning hydrogen aviation as a vital component in saving lives in a sustainable future.
Further into his presentation, Cardinal detailed some of the challenges faced in implementing hydrogen technology at a commercial scale, including regulatory hurdles and hydrogen fuel infrastructure. Cardinal discussed the need for collaboration between government and industry to overcome these barriers and unlock the full potential of zero-carbon hydrogen-flight for organ transport.
Cardinal shared insights on the new partnership between Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) and UB which is accelerating UB's development of hydrogen-powered helicopters based on Robinson’s R44 and R66 models. Cardinal also compared energy density and range between AvGas, battery-electric, and hydrogen-electric systems that highlighted hydrogen’s clear advantage in extending flight range. This aligns with UB's goal to replace traditional aviation fuel with green hydrogen.
Cardinal’s keynote emphasized UB's innovative use of hydrogen aviation for medical missions, driven by Dr. Rothblatt's leadership. With UT’s resources and focus on biotech and sustainability, UB is set to revolutionize organ delivery and bring hydrogen-powered aviation to healthcare.
Bentzion Levinson: CEO of Heven Drones, Pioneering Hydrogen-Powered Drones
Bentzion Levinson, CEO of Heven Drones, showcased how hydrogen technology is set to revolutionize the drone industry by addressing the limitations of traditional battery-powered drones. With typical drones limited to just 30 minutes of flight time, Heven Drones' hydrogen-powered models offer up to 8 hours of endurance, opening new possibilities for industries like logistics, agriculture, and disaster relief. Hydrogen fuel cells provide a zero-carbon footprint, reduced noise, and enhanced safety compared to conventional fuels.
Levinson highlighted the capabilities of the H2D Series, which includes heavy-lift drones like the H2D 300, with a payload capacity of over 60 lbs and extended flight times. By pushing the boundaries of unmanned aerial systems, Heven Drones is setting the stage for a more sustainable, efficient future in drone technology, making hydrogen a key driver in advancing zero-emission aviation.
John Piasecki: CEO of Piasecki Aircraft Corp, Leading Hydrogen-Powered VTOL Development
John Piasecki, CEO of Piasecki Aircraft Corp, presented the development of the PA-890 hydrogen-powered eVTOL, emphasizing the advantages of High Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane (HTPEM) fuel cells. These cells offer 5 times the energy density of lithium-ion batteries and up to 50% lower operating costs compared to turbine-powered VTOLs. The PA-890 boasts a 7000 lbs max takeoff weight, a payload capacity of 1660 lbs, and a range of 200 nautical miles, making it ideal for passenger transport and emergency medical services.
Piasecki highlighted the collaboration with ZeroAvia to develop and certify hydrogen fuel cell technology, outlining ongoing efforts to meet FAA certification requirements. With zero emissions and greater efficiency, the PA-890 is poised to lead the transition toward sustainable aviation, offering a reliable and cost-effective alternative to traditional propulsion systems.
Matt Gregori: Technology Development Manager at SoCalGas, Pioneering Hydrogen Infrastructure
Matt Gregori, Technology Development Manager at SoCalGas, focused his presentation on the critical role hydrogen infrastructure will play in decarbonizing sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as aviation and heavy-duty transportation. He explained how SoCalGas, the largest natural gas distribution utility in the U.S., is leveraging its expertise in pipeline infrastructure to safely deliver hydrogen across California. Gregori outlined how clean hydrogen, generated from 100% renewable electricity, can be used to power sectors that cannot simply "plug in" to the grid.
Gregori shared insights from SoCalGas’s Hydrogen Enabled Airport Ecosystem Study, which envisions zero-emission ground and air vehicles by 2040. Conducted at Ontario International Airport, the study analyzed hydrogen infrastructure demand, cost, and its impact on reducing CO₂ and NOx emissions. He also highlighted SoCalGas’s research into ground service equipment and hydrogen-powered UAVs, showing how clean hydrogen will be the backbone of a sustainable aviation ecosystem.
Michael Duke: CEO of DBT Aero, Leading Business Aviation Toward Sustainability
Michael Duke, CEO of DBT Aero, highlighted the pivotal role that business aviation plays in adopting new, sustainable technologies. He emphasized that incremental improvements in aviation won’t meet the industry's ambitious 2050 zero-carbon target. Duke presented DBT Aero's approach to reshaping the future of flight through new propulsion systems and innovative aircraft geometries, moving beyond conventional wing and fuselage designs to deliver over 30% more efficiency in terms of speed, range, and load capacity.
Duke introduced DBT Aero’s family of aircraft, designed for hydrogen-electric and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) propulsion. These aircraft are intended to fly farther, faster, and with greater payloads, making them ideal for business aviation, regional air mobility, and cargo. With prototypes already in flight testing and a clear path to market, DBT Aero is positioned at the forefront of the industry’s shift toward sustainable aviation.
Andy Kelly: Head of Product Line at Intelligent Energy, Advancing Hydrogen-Powered UAS
Andy Kelly, Head of Product Line at Intelligent Energy, focused on the advantages of hydrogen fuel cells in powering unmanned aerial systems (UAS). He highlighted key benefits such as longer flight times, increased range, and operational efficiency compared to battery-powered drones. Kelly stressed the importance of using hydrogen to unlock beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations, adding that the quiet operation and low vibration of hydrogen systems make them highly suitable for commercial drone applications.
Kelly addressed the challenges of hydrogen logistics, emphasizing the need for customer familiarity with storage, safety regulations, and integration. He pointed out that while hydrogen offers significant operational advantages, the learning curve for customers must be addressed to ensure smooth adoption. Intelligent Energy is focused on refining its technology through real-world applications and customer feedback, aiming to make hydrogen-powered drones commercially viable by reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
Cody Bateman: Founder and CEO of MetaVista, Pushing AI for BVLOS Operations
Cody Bateman, Founder and CEO of MetaVista, explored the crucial role of advanced AI in enabling Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations. Bateman outlined the safety, technological, and operational challenges that still limit widespread BVLOS use, from security risks to loss of assets. He argued that traditional methods are insufficient and that AI-driven solutions are essential to address these limitations.
Bateman introduced MetaVista's MetaMind system, which uses AI to handle tasks typically requiring human intelligence, such as understanding environmental conditions, decision-making, and object recognition. By integrating advanced AI, MetaVista is developing systems capable of improving the spatial and situational awareness of UAS, ensuring safer and more efficient operations in BVLOS scenarios.
Alistair Blundy and Titus Waldock: CEO and Future Technologies Underwriting, Skyrisks, Tackling Hydrogen Aviation Insurance Risks
Alistair Blundy, CEO of Skyrisks, and Titus Waldock, Future Technologies Underwriting, addressed the critical issue of insuring hydrogen aviation. Their presentation, titled "When Things Go Wrong: Insuring Hydrogen Risks," explored the unique challenges hydrogen-powered aircraft pose to the insurance industry. Blundy and Waldock emphasized the lack of established relationships and expertise between insurers and the hydrogen aviation sector, leading to gaps in coverage and understanding.
The pair outlined four key risks hydrogen aviation is contending with, as identified by Cranfield Aerospace Solutions: the creation of an explosive environment, system damage from overheating, fuel contamination, and loss of residual value. They proposed bringing insurers along on the hydrogen journey early, ensuring that technology proves its safety over time while demonstrating that safety is prioritized over profit.
Dave Franks: Standards Specialist Engineer, SAE International, Shaping Hydrogen Standards for Aerospace
Dave Franks, Standards Specialist Engineer at SAE International, focused on the critical role of industry standards in supporting the advancement of hydrogen-powered aviation. Franks explained that developing standardized procedures for hydrogen production, storage, and usage is essential for ensuring the safety, reliability, and scalability of hydrogen as an alternative fuel. He emphasized the work of SAE’s Alternative Aviation Fuels Steering Group, which is responsible for identifying gaps in current standards and developing a roadmap for hydrogen integration across aerospace.
Franks also highlighted several ongoing initiatives, including the development of SAE AIR8999, which addresses the need for high-flow liquid hydrogen fueling couplings for aerospace applications. Additionally, he discussed the AE-5CH Hydrogen Airport Task Group, which focuses on creating standards for hydrogen fueling, storage, and transport at airports. His presentation underscored the importance of cross-sector collaboration between SAE, EUROCAE, and regulatory bodies to ensure a smooth transition to hydrogen-powered aviation.
Rob Oldroyd: Risk Advisor, Moreton & Company, Simplifying Green Energy for Hydrogen Production
Rob Oldroyd, Risk Advisor at Moreton & Company, provided a comprehensive overview of the challenges and benefits of sourcing green energy for hydrogen production. He focused on the role of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), which allow hydrogen producers to secure consistent, low-cost green energy from third-party developers without upfront capital investment. PPAs offer hydrogen producers a stable energy supply, helping them move up the “hydrogen rainbow” to greener energy sources such as wind, solar, and geothermal power.
Oldroyd emphasized the importance of reducing the variability inherent in renewable energy production and outlined how PPAs enable long-term relationships between hydrogen producers and green energy providers. He highlighted that entering a PPA can unlock more opportunities for hydrogen producers, including tax incentives and increased demand for greener hydrogen, helping the industry scale while staying cost-effective.
Dr. Albert Moussa: Chief Scientist, BlazeTech Corp, Comparing Crash Fire Hazards of Hydrogen and Jet-A
Dr. Albert Moussa, Chief Scientist at BlazeTech Corp, delivered an in-depth comparative analysis of crash fire hazards between Liquid Hydrogen (LH2) and Jet-A fuel. His presentation, based on a NASA study from the 1980s, explored the safety implications of using hydrogen in aviation. Moussa focused on scenarios like survivable crash landings that produce pool fires, comparing the thermal output, fire duration, and heat dose of LH2, Jet-A, LNG, and Avgas. His analysis showed that, under identical conditions, liquid hydrogen poses no greater hazard than conventional fuels, with a lower overall fire risk due to its unique properties.
Moussa also discussed other safety considerations for LH2, such as embrittlement, boil-off, and the behavior of post-impact hydrogen plumes in different wind conditions. While hydrogen has an excellent safety record in chemical applications, Moussa emphasized the need to adapt best practices for its use as aviation fuel. His conclusion underscored that, with proper safety measures, hydrogen can be a safe and viable alternative to traditional fuels in aviation.
Jack Brouwer: Business Development Officer, ARCHES, Building California's Hydrogen Ecosystem
Jack Brouwer, Business Development Officer at ARCHES (Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems), presented the ambitious plans for California’s hydrogen hub at FLYING HY 2024. Brouwer highlighted the landmark $8 billion allocation from the U.S. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, intended to support regional hydrogen hubs across the country. ARCHES is positioned to be a key player in this initiative, unlocking an additional $11.7 billion in matching funds to build a robust hydrogen ecosystem in California.
Brouwer underscored the environmental and social impact of hydrogen, especially in California’s heavily polluted freight corridors. Communities near ports like Long Beach face life expectancies 7 years lower than those in more affluent areas like Beverly Hills, largely due to diesel emissions. ARCHES aims to tackle these challenges by creating cleaner energy solutions through hydrogen, improving air quality, and promoting environmental justice in high-pollution areas like Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The project, now in its $30 million planning phase, is expected to drive significant improvements in both air quality and economic growth.
Bill Spellane: Hydrogen Aviation Strategy and Cost Reduction Insights
Bill Spellane, CEO of Maximum Pascal, focused his presentation on reducing the high costs associated with hydrogen aircraft design, which he argued are hindering adoption. Spellane outlined several key hypotheses, including the notion that current design strategies for hydrogen-powered aircraft are unnecessarily expensive, leading to a reduction in market adoption. He proposed several ways to reduce costs, including using standardized open data and software for fuel cells and related systems.
Spellane emphasized the need for the hydrogen aviation industry to focus on reducing weight, parts, labor, and maintenance costs in order to drive mass adoption. He pointed to lessons from the NCAMP composites database and TSO avionics as examples of how standardization and data sharing could streamline certification and reduce costs. His vision is for hydrogen aviation to move from niche markets into mass adoption, allowing it to compete on a larger scale with traditional aviation fuels.
Chris Allo: President & CTO of ElektrikGreen, Driving Scalable Hydrogen Fueling Solutions
Chris Allo, President and CTO of ElektrikGreen, focused his presentation on the future of scalable hydrogen fueling for aviation. Allo explained how hydrogen infrastructure must evolve to meet the needs of both ground operations and aircraft at airports. He introduced various solutions for hydrogen generation, storage, and fueling, emphasizing the need for modular, scalable systems. By replicating core components like hydrogen generation units, fueling stations can be expanded efficiently as demand grows.
Allo also showcased compact, transportable hydrogen filling stations that are designed to be easily deployable at airports. He stressed the importance of affordability and safety, discussing new compression technologies and fuel station designs that incorporate solar power for added sustainability. Allo’s vision is to make hydrogen fueling accessible, safe, and scalable, ensuring that the future of clean energy in aviation is both practical and cost-effective.
Mike Hirschberg: Director of Strategy at Vertical Flight Society, Hydrogen as a Gamechanger for eVTOL
Mike Hirschberg, Director of Strategy at the Vertical Flight Society (VFS), emphasized the transformative potential of hydrogen-electric propulsion in eVTOL (electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing) aircraft. He discussed how distributed electric propulsion (DEP), paired with hydrogen, can overcome the limitations of battery-powered systems, offering greater range, payload capacity, and endurance. Hirschberg argued that hydrogen-electric systems are the key to unlocking sustainable aviation, especially for long-endurance and heavy-lift eVTOLs.
Hirschberg highlighted several initiatives spearheaded by VFS, including the H2eVTOL Council and the H2-Aero Team, both of which are dedicated to advancing hydrogen fuel cell technology in aviation. He pointed out ongoing testing by companies like Piasecki Aircraft Corp and Unither Bioelectronics, which are pushing the boundaries of hydrogen-powered aviation. His message was clear: hydrogen is the future of zero-emission aviation, and with continued innovation and collaboration, it will revolutionize the way we think about flight.
Danny Maco: CEO of AeroTelematics, Unlocking Data for Advanced Air Mobility
Danny Maco, CEO of AeroTelematics, focused his presentation on the critical role of telematics and data insights in optimizing Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) operations. Maco explained how data from telematics devices can improve everything from asset tracking and operational performance to risk assessment and safety in real time. He emphasized the use of agile methodologies to rapidly collect and analyze data, helping companies quantify risks, validate operational assumptions, and improve customer experiences.
Maco also discussed the growing relevance of Usage-Based Insurance (UBI) in AAM, outlining how telematics data can be used by insurance companies to offer more accurate, personalized policies. He drew parallels between the use of telematics in auto insurance and its potential in aviation, particularly for fleet operations, OEMs, and regulators like the FAA. By leveraging insights from adjacent domains, Maco underscored the importance of telematics in advancing Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations and enhancing overall mission success.
Norbert Palenstijn: Product Sales Development Manager, Leybold USA Inc., Exploring Vacuum Solutions for Cryogenic Hydrogen Vessels
Norbert Palenstijn, Product Sales Development Manager at Leybold USA Inc., presented on the critical role of vacuum technology in the storage and handling of liquid hydrogen. Palenstijn explained that vacuum insulation is essential across the liquid hydrogen supply chain—from manufacture to storage and end use—helping to reduce thermal transfer and maintain the cryogenic temperatures needed to keep hydrogen in its liquid state. This ensures high energy density and optimal performance.
Palenstijn outlined the challenges of manufacturing leak-free cryogenic tanks that can maintain a vacuum for extended periods. He also discussed vacuum system limitations such as humidity, insulation materials, and pipe length, and provided solutions to improve cycle time and efficiency. Leybold's VARODRYKE vacuum pumps were highlighted as part of their solution, offering reliable performance in industrial hydrogen applications.
Gaël Le Bris: Vice President, WSP, Paving the Way for Hydrogen at Airports
Gaël Le Bris, Vice President at WSP, focused his presentation on integrating hydrogen technology into airport operations. He emphasized that airports must prepare for the hydrogen revolution by addressing the infrastructure needs for fuel cell electric aircraft (FCE), hydrogen gas turbine aircraft (H₂ GT), and eVTOLs. His presentation covered the timeline for hydrogen integration into aviation, outlining expected milestones between 2025 and 2065.
Le Bris outlined the key challenges for airports, including hydrogen storage, fueling system design, and operational safety standards. He discussed the importance of creating a collaborative environment between the hydrogen aviation community and airports, ensuring that airports can support hydrogen-powered aircraft safely and efficiently. The presentation concluded with a roadmap showing how airports can transition to hydrogen-ready facilities, focusing on long-term sustainability and economic viability.
Joseph Sullivan: Chief Engineer at USI, Transforming Airport Infrastructure with Hydrogen
Joseph Sullivan, Chief Engineer at USI, presented a comprehensive analysis of how hydrogen can transform airport infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of zero-emission aviation. His presentation explored the economic, environmental, and performance benefits of adopting hydrogen at airports. Sullivan highlighted the cost-saving potential as hydrogen infrastructure scales up and the environmental gains from reducing carbon emissions across the aviation industry.
Sullivan also outlined the use-case potential for hydrogen in airport ground support equipment (GSE), such as fuel trucks, baggage handling, and firefighting vehicles, and detailed its application in ground transport, from shuttles to airport security vehicles. He emphasized that hydrogen is a higher energy density alternative to batteries, making it an ideal solution for long-range, higher payload operations, which will be key as airports and airlines work to meet 2030 emissions mandates.
Dietmar Trees: CTO & Co-Founder of HyWatts, Introducing Power-Plant-in-a-Box™ for Renewable Hydrogen Power
Dietmar Trees, CTO and Co-Founder of HyWatts, presented the company’s innovative Power-Plant-in-a-Box™, a turnkey solution designed to deliver uninterrupted renewable energy and hydrogen generation without relying on the traditional power grid. Trees emphasized the growing demand for energy as industries like electric vehicles (EVs) and data centers expand, projecting that by 2030, these sectors will consume energy equivalent to 50 million homes. He highlighted the inadequacy of current infrastructure to meet this demand, outlining the potential of on-site solar generation and hydrogen storage to provide energy efficiently and sustainably.
HyWatts’ Power-Plant-in-a-Box™ offers a scalable and cost-effective alternative, featuring proprietary storage technology, a reversible fuel cell system, and hydrogen generation capabilities. Trees discussed the advantages of combining high-temperature PEM fuel cells and electrolyzers into a single component, reducing complexity and lowering operational costs. The system is designed for use in various applications, including EV charging stations, community microgrids, and data centers, offering flexibility and efficiency for the hydrogen-powered future.
Carl Rivkin: P.E., Total Hydrogen, Optimizing Hydrogen Fueling Infrastructure
Carl Rivkin, P.E. at Total Hydrogen, addressed the current state of hydrogen fueling and supply infrastructure, focusing on the challenges and lessons learned from road vehicle fueling deployments over the last 20 years. Rivkin highlighted that, although hydrogen fueling stations for light-duty vehicles, trucks, and buses have been deployed—mostly in California—reliability and performance issues have plagued the industry. Supply interruptions and uncompetitive costs have left many customers unable to procure hydrogen when needed.
Rivkin emphasized the need for aviation fueling infrastructure to avoid the pitfalls experienced in road vehicle fueling, such as supply disruptions and high maintenance costs. He outlined the importance of risk assessment in early project stages to ensure profitability and operational efficiency. His focus on single-point fueling and finding alternative supply chains underscored the urgency of building a more robust and scalable hydrogen infrastructure for the aviation industry.
A New Era for Hydrogen Aviation
FLYING HY 2024 showcased the ambitious strides being made in hydrogen aviation, with each speaker bringing forward innovative solutions to push the boundaries of sustainability and technology in flight. From advancing infrastructure and fuel cell development to unlocking new possibilities for drones, eVTOLs, and commercial aircraft, the event made clear that hydrogen is not just a concept for the future—it's rapidly becoming a reality. The collective efforts of industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers at FLYING HY demonstrate that hydrogen aviation is on the brink of transforming how we fly, with zero-carbon emissions at the heart of a cleaner, more sustainable future for air travel.
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