Aviate Receives First Hydrogen‑Electric Bonanza in U.S.

California-based Aviate Enterprises has become the first U.S. customer for Stralis Aircraft''s hydrogen‑electric conversion of the Beechcraft Bonanza A36, designated the A36‑HE. The aircraft replaces its piston engine with a hydrogen-electric propulsion system powered by high-temperature PEM fuel cells, liquid hydrogen tanks, and electric motors—making it a fuel-cell–driven electric aircraft, not an internal-combustion hydrogen engine (AINonline, Fuel Cells Works).

Fuel Cell Propulsion - How It Works

• Uses high-temperature proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells that are significantly lighter and more efficient than low-temperature variants (AVweb, GlobalAir).
• The fuel cells provide electricity directly to an electric motor, producing zero emissions—only water vapor.
• Liquid hydrogen is stored at cryogenic temperatures (~–250 °C) and vented slowly if unused, with tight safety and leak-control features.

Timeline & U.S. Launch Status

• Stralis completed ground-based propeller “spin” tests in Australia in late 2024 and aims for first flight of the hydrogen Bonanza in late 2025 (AVweb).
• Aviate Enterprises will retrofit two Bonanza A36s with the fuel-cell powertrain—joining the U.S. launch program for hydrogen-electric aviation (Fuel Cells Works).

What This Means for Clean Aviation

• This hydrogen-electric Bonanza is powered by fuel cells—not a hydrogen-burning engine—delivering zero carbon emissions and near-silent operation.
• Hydrogen-electric systems can outperform conventional piston engines in efficiency and operating cost—if hydrogen pricing falls and infrastructure scales.
• Ground tests and first U.S. installation mark a key milestone in light-aircraft electrification and zero-emission propulsion.

EVWorld Takeaway

Aviate’s hydrogen-electric Bonanza A36‑HE is a landmark in zero-emission aviation—but it's power via hydrogen fuel cells, not hydrogen combustion. For EVWorld readers, this shows hydrogen's growing role as a clean propulsion option alongside battery-electric aircraft. While still nascent, fuel-cell aviation could mirror the electric vehicle transition, offering long range with near-zero exhaust emissions.

Sources

• AINonline – Stralis Signs Up U.S. Launch Customer for Hydrogen‑Powered Bonanza
• Fuel Cells Works – Stralis and Aviate Bring Hydrogen‑Electric Aviation to U.S.
• AVweb – Aussie Hydrogen‑Electric Bonanza Headed To U.S.
• GlobalAir – Aviate Enterprises fitting Bonanzas with Stralis high‑temperature fuel cells

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