Joby Aviation, Inc a next generation aviation company, today announced it has successfully flown a first-of-its-kind hydrogen-electric air taxi demonstrator 523 miles, with water as the only by-product. The aircraft, which takes off and lands vertically, builds on Joby’s successful battery-electric air taxi development program, and demonstrates the potential for hydrogen to unlock emissions-free, regional journeys that don’t require a runway.
source.image: Joby Aviation
We’ve accomplished something many thought impossible: flying more than 500 miles with no in-flight emissions except water, including a vertical take-off and landing. This landmark hydrogen-electric flight demonstrates the potential for emissions-free aviation connecting entire regions, directly from city center to city center.
The flight took place on June 24, 2024, in the airspace above Joby’s manufacturing and flight test facilities in Marina, California. The hydrogen-electric demonstrator aircraft landed with more than 10% of its hydrogen fuel load remaining.
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The landmark test flight, believed to be the first forward flight of a vertical take off and landing aircraft powered by liquid hydrogen, was completed last month using a converted Joby pre-production prototype battery-electric aircraft fitted with a liquid hydrogen fuel tank and fuel cell system. It landed with 10% of its hydrogen fuel load remaining.
