HYSKY Society Publishes FLYING HY Survey Results & Announces the FLYING HY Steering Committee for Hydrogen Aviation
- Danielle McLean
- May 6
- 6 min read
Reflections and Steering Committee Announcement from Danielle McLean, Founder & CEO
Over the past couple months, HYSKY Society asked our hydrogen aviation community to help shape FLYING HY 2025. The response was amazing. Eighty-five people took the time to share thoughtful input and some of them even offered to roll up their sleeves and lead parts of the event. Below is what we learned, what we’re thinking, and what’s coming next.
Picking the Right Date for FLYING HY: Hydrogen Aviation Event
We started by asking which day worked best for a half-day virtual event. The overwhelming top pick was Wednesday, November 5, 2025, with more than 40 percent of the vote. We’re moving forward with that date and grateful to have a solid foundation for the rest of the planning.
The Format People Want
Next, we asked about the format and price. The winner, by a wide margin, was a half-day virtual event for $30. This aligns perfectly with how we’re thinking about the event and making it more accessible during uncertainties with the current administration. The strong preference for this format tells us people want something meaningful that fits into their day, not something overwhelming or cost-prohibitive.
Content + Connection
We asked what kind of experience people want between sessions. The biggest group said presentations, panels, Q&A, and networking. That was exciting to see. It tells us people aren’t just looking to absorb information. They want to interact, meet collaborators, and be part of a live, evolving conversation. This also affirms something we already believed: FLYING HY needs to be participatory, not passive.
How Organizations Want to Engage
When we asked how people’s companies might want to get involved, the answers were encouraging. Almost 88% said they want to attend, and a full 39% said they’d like to speak. Over 12% are interested in sponsoring. This significantly enables HYSKY’s to move forward with its mission. Others want to moderate sessions or just stay connected. What this tells us is that people want to contribute, not just show up. That kind of energy is the best foundation we could ask for.
Planning Suggestions From the Community
Some of the best parts of this survey came from the open-ended responses. Several participants went beyond checkboxes to offer thoughtful, creative, and sometimes challenging suggestions. We read every word, and many of the ideas are already shaping our planning.
One person simply wrote,
“Be critical.”
I appreciated that. It’s a reminder that while we’re optimistic about hydrogen aviation, we need to stay grounded and mindful that there are challenges. We have to be honest about what’s working and where we can improve. That mindset of continuous learning is something we’ll carry forward.
There was a great suggestion to create breakout rooms for networking, with themes like investment, infrastructure, technology, or regulation. That kind of structure helps people find the right conversations faster. We’ll be looking for ways to include it.
Another person asked for more practical demonstrations like video walkthroughs of prototypes, visuals of refueling logistics, and real-world data. This community clearly wants to see what’s working today, not just what might work tomorrow. We agree, and we’re aiming to include more of that.
Someone also proposed a “basic knowledge book” that we could share before the event. The idea is to give newcomers a solid foundation, so the event itself can go deeper. That’s brilliant. It would keep the event accessible while also leveling up the conversation. We’re exploring how we can make that happen.
There was also a request to include a mix of perspectives, including voices who may be skeptical or critical. Not to stir up conflict, but to make the conversation stronger. We completely agree. We’ll be intentional about inviting speakers who can offer depth, realism, and fresh insight.
A few people suggested building a way for the community to stay connected after the event. Some mentioned a membership model or an app. That lines up with what we’ve been working on with HYSKY Connect. It’s exciting to know that others are craving the same thing and want a way to keep the momentum going year-round.
We also heard loud and clear that government and policy leaders need to be at the table. Respondents asked for voices from the FAA, EASA, DOD, and DOE, and international agencies. We’re actively reaching out to bring those perspectives into the room. Here is one of my favorite comments:
“Hydrogen for aviation is in a delicate position with the new U.S. Administration. Please consider inviting two speakers, one from the USGov and one from the EU, on the topic of national policies affecting the advancement of H2 in the interests of innovation in the air mobility domain in climate action. The US is not ignoring the value of H2 solutions; however, we in industry do not have clear signals from Government by which to inform strategy.”
One person referenced the Mooresville Hydrail Initiative as an example of grassroots success in hydrogen transportation. That really resonated with me. We want FLYING HY to be the aviation counterpart to that and a place where early ideas and regional efforts can gain national and global traction.
For our international attendees, time zones were a concern. We’ll do our best to plan with that in mind, and recordings will be available so people can still access the content even if they can’t join live.
Finally, infrastructure came up often. Not just aircraft, but hydrogen production, storage, fueling, and airport integration. That’s a strong signal that our audience sees the full picture. We’ll make sure those topics are part of the program.
This feedback was thoughtful, forward-looking, and full of clarity. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share ideas. You’re helping make FLYING HY 2025 better, smarter, and more valuable for the entire community.
Willingness to Volunteer
One of the strongest signs of momentum was the number of people who said yes to volunteering. Nearly 32% said they’d give 2–4 hours a month to help make FLYING HY 2025 happen. That’s incredibly rare in a community this busy and technical. It shows that people aren’t just excited about the idea of zero-carbon aviation, they’re invested in making it happen.
Roles People Stepped Up For
Among volunteers, the most requested role was Program Lead, the group that will shape the overall flow and structure of the event. That’s exactly what we’d hope to see. It tells us people are not only excited to help, they want to help where it matters most. Others volunteered to handle logistics, speaker outreach, marketing, and more. Every piece is critical, and we’re grateful to have so many smart, committed people stepping forward.
Meet the Steering Committee
We are thrilled to introduce the official FLYING HY 2025 Steering Committee. This is a powerhouse group with experience across hydrogen, aviation, clean tech, and policy. From NASA to GE Aerospace to trailblazing startups, these are the people helping to lead the charge.
Bill Spellane (Chair, Maximum Pascal)
Steven Ross (Vice Chair, GE Aerospace)
Norbert Palenstijn (Marketing Lead, Leybold USA, Inc)
Shola Oyewole (Marketing Support, United Therapeutics)
Wade Ewing (Contributor, JHG Industries, Inc.)
Rick Harlow (Contributor, NovaSpark Energy)
Gaël Le Bris (Program Lead, WSP)
Vadim Lvovich (Program Support, NASA)
Mark van Wyk (Contributor, FlyH2 Aerospace)
Elijah Shoemake (Speaker Lead, Avio Verte LLC)
Clint Harper (Speaker Support, Harper A4)
Santh Sathya (Speaker Support, LuftCar)
Ron Lovick (Contributor, Redline Emerging Tech)
Paul Sarahan (Contributor, Earth & Water Law, LLC)
You can check out the Steering Committee’s LinkedIn profiles by visiting www.hysky.org and scrolling down to the Steering Committee section. Just click on any of their photos to learn more.
I can tell you right now, this group is stacked with talent, leadership, and vision. With their support, FLYING HY 2025 isn’t just going to be good. It’s going to be groundbreaking.
What Comes Next
FLYING HY 2025 is shaping up to be more than just another online event. It’s becoming a hub for real progress. The feedback we received shows that people are looking for something serious, useful, and forward-thinking. And now, with this incredible Steering Committee in place, I’m confident we’re going to deliver exactly that.
The Steering Committee will hold its first meeting on May 7, 2025. That meeting will kick off the next phase of planning, where we start shaping the agenda, inviting speakers, and putting everything into motion.
Thank you to everyone who filled out the survey, offered to help, or simply reached out with encouragement. We’re building something important here and we’re doing it together. Let’s keep flying hy.
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