ENFICA-FC: Realization and Flight Test of All Electric 2-Seat Aircraft Powered By Fuel Cells 2G fuelled by Hydrogen

GIULIO ROMEO; FABIO BORELLO; GABRIEL CORREA

Madrid

Congreso; Aeroday 2011; 2011

European Commission

An all-electric General Aviation airplane was realized within the ENFICA-FC program (ENvironmentally Friendly Inter City Aircraft powered by Fuel Cells - EC funded project coordinated by Prof. Giulio Romeo). The electric-motor-driven two-seat airplane powered by fuel cells was developed and validated by flight-test in May 2010. (http://www.enfica-fc.polito.it/ - www.polito.it/grupporomeo) The airplane represents the first and unique aeroplane flying in the world. Six test flights were successfully carried out by POLITO. The all-electrical power system was successfully tested during the experimental flights. Take-off and climbing was obtained at power of 35 kW. Level flight was attained at 150 km/h by mean of only a fuel cell power setting. 2.5 hours of effective flight were obtained during flight tests for a total path of 237 km. A new speed world record of 135 km/h and an endurance of 39 min. was established during flights conducted for the FAI Sporting Code Category C (airplane). Previous record was established by the Boeing R&T Centre in the first hydrogen flight (120 km/h for 20 minutes, but for a motor-glider, FAI Class D); DLR also flew in 2009 but with a motor- glider powered by fuel cells. The excellent results obtained by the flight tests confirmed the good quality of the several elements assuring the safety flight of a so sophisticated machine and can be considered as a further step in the European and World Aeronautics Science in introducing a completely clean energy (ZERO CO2 EMISSION). Among the advantages of an aircraft of this type, mention can be made of its remarkable silence: a characteristic that can greatly improve the quality of life around city airports. At the same time, more theoretical type studies have been carried out in designing an aircraft for 20-30 passengers in the intercity sector that is able to connect cities through flights while totally eliminating the environmental impact. The airplane works on hydrogen, taking advantage of the ?fuel cell? technology available in middle term.