China's four-seater hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine aircraft completes maiden flight

The prototype of China's self-developed and the world's first four-seater hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine aircraft completes its maiden flight at an airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Jan. 29, 2024. (Photo/China News Service)

(ECNS) -- The prototype of China's self-developed and the world's first four-seater hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine aircraft completed its maiden flight at an airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province on Monday.

According to test pilots, the aircraft demonstrates ample power, minimal engine vibration, and excellent maneuverability, which lays a solid foundation for the next phase of tests.

The aircraft conducted its verification flight on March 25, 2023 in Shenyang and underwent technological improvements. Its core components have initially realized localization with engine power reaching 120 kilowatt in the test.

As the aviation section moves towards decarburization, aircraft with hydrogen fuel will achieve zero carbon emissions in the future, said Sun Xiaoping, chief technologist at Liaoning General Aviation Academy.

The aircraft will attend the 2024AERO airshow in Germany in April and perform a ground demonstration with propeller.