SwissstartupSirius Aviation has unveiled designs for the worlds first hydrogen-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
That is four times as far as competitors like GermaneVTOLstartup Lilium are targeting using batteries.
It will achieve these feats thanks to liquid hydrogen propulsion, which some consider theholy grailof fuels.
They claim to have already started the certification process with theFederal Aviation Administration (FAA).
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The first demonstration flights for both VTOLs are scheduled for next year.
Sirius then plans to achieve full certification, commercial deliveries, and shuttle flights by 2028.
While youve got to admire their optimism, huge challenges remain.
The use of liquid hydrogen especially is a massive hurdle.
It was only last September that H2Fly made theworlds first piloted flight of a liquid H2-powered plane.
Then theres the fact that the aviation certification process isnotoriously expensive.
Exactly who is going to bankroll the project is unclear at this stage.
Moreover, Sirius is planning to develop everything themselves, including the liquid hydrogen powertrain.
Overall, its a seriously ambitious timeline, which seems to be arecurring themein the eVTOL startup space.
Story bySion Geschwindt
Sion is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy.
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