ZeroAvia doubles its UK Dornier 228 test fleet to support ZA600 certification

ZeroAvia/ZA600

ZeroAvia doubled its UK fleet of Dornier 228 test aircraft to reduce risk in its push to certify the ZA600 hydrogen-electric powertrain. The second aircraft arrived on June 15, 2024; the expanded fleet enables more parallel testing and flight hours toward FAA certification.

• ZA600 is a 600 kW hydrogen-electric powertrain using fuel cells to convert hydrogen to electricity for propeller motors
• First aircraft evaluates the certified-standard electric propulsion system, second tests the power generation system
• Flight tests of individual systems expected to take six to nine months before combining into production-standard powertrain
• ZeroAvia planned to certify ZA600 with FAA in 2024 for use on Cessna Caravan launch platform