RECORD FOR FUEL CELL PLANE
10 Jun 2010
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AN aircraft powered by a hydrogen fuel cell has set a new world record speed of 135km/h (73kt).
The Czech-built Skyleader aircraft used a UK-designed and made fuel cell in an Italian-led project called ENFICA-FC... no, not a football club but the 'Environmentally Friendly Inter City Aircraft powered by Fuel Cells!
The ENFICA-FC aircraft has a 40kW electric motor with power supplied through 20kW hydrogen fuel cells developed by Intelligent Energy, a UK company. To guarantee safety, a set of 20kW lithium polymer batteries were also on board as an alternative power source.
The aircraft first flew on 20 May for two minutes, followed by another 11-minute long flight. The electric power system was tested during these flights, and various speeds checked including the rotate speed of 84km/h achieved within a 184m ground roll at 35kW power setting. After take-off, speed was increased to 110-120km/h, and level flight at 700ft and 130km/h attained using the fuel cell only (ie, not the battery back-up).
On 26 May, the team set the new 135 km/h world speed record of four consecutive runs over a 3km course. Higher speeds of 145-150km/h were measured for short periods in free flight, and endurance was 40-45 minutes.
The 4.5 million euro project was partly funded by a 2.5 million euro EC grant.
Read about the project here
More on the aircraft maker here
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