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Brisbane-based electric aviation firm Stralis has found its first US customer.
California’s Aviate Enterprises will work with Stralis on America’s first hydrogen-electric Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft, replacing the existing piston engine with a hydrogen power train including fuel cells, liquid hydrogen tanks, and electric motors.
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“The hydrogen-electric Bonanza aircraft will outperform battery and fossil fuel aircraft on payload range,” the two companies said in a joint press release.
“The Stralis hydrogen-electric propulsion system uses high-temperature PEM fuel cells which are six times lighter and have improved performance, require less maintenance, and will demonstrate operational cost savings.
“They are also quieter and emission free, with the only emission being water vapour.”
Bob Criner, chief executive and co-founder of Stralis Aircraft, said the Aviate Enterprises team were “exactly the type of trailblazers we need to make hydrogen-electric flight possible”.
“We are excited to help them become the first to upgrade their aircraft with a Stralis hydrogen-electric propulsion system in the United States,” he said.
“The Bonanza is an iconic and much-loved aircraft, and as 100LL fuel becomes increasingly challenging to access and owners face overhauls, now is an opportune time to begin the transition to a clean fuel and propulsion system.”
According to Timothy Devine, founder and president of Aviate Enterprises, California’s existing hydrogen infrastructure – including production and distribution networks and refuelling stations – as well as strong government support for hydrogen technology, made it an “ideal location for testing and deploying hydrogen-powered aircraft”.
“What we are doing is like 3 April 1973 – the date of the first cell phone call made in the world. We are going to change the world of aviation with hydrogen-fuelled aircraft.”
“Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, and it is clean and green.”
Last year, Stralis completed a successful ground-based propeller test of a hydrogen power train at Brisbane Airport and is looking to operate its first hydrogen test flight this year.
Hydrogen fuel cell technology has firmed up as a power source for clean aviation, with rival electric aircraft firm Dovetail having demonstrated a powertrain in Spain in 2024, while AMSL Aero has tested hydrogen for its Vertiia electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft at Bankstown Airport in Sydney.
