The goal is to develop a hydrogen-powered aircraft. This initiative will provide an understanding of how hydrogen could be applied in aviation, including the design of liquid hydrogen tanks and crucial safety features. This places KLM at the forefront of the development of new aviation technologies.
KLM and AeroDelft share the idea that air travel is essential for people and various sectors, but that innovation in aviation is vital. KLM is starting a collaboration with the student team AeroDelft to become part of various ecosystems around future technologies, such as flying with hydrogen.
With this initiative, KLM and AeroDelft want to contribute to the development of hydrogen technology and the associated conditions. This could include certification, regulations, and infrastructure. Technologies currently under development still face many challenges, such as the distribution and transportation of liquid hydrogen.
About the Phoenix Project
The goal of AeroDelft's Project Phoenix is to build a hydrogen-powered aircraft. The plan involves the development of a drone, the Phoenix-Prototype, which will serve as a stepping stone in the construction of the first liquid hydrogen-electric manned aircraft, the Phoenix Full-Scale.
The Phoenix Prototype is powered by an electric motor powered by liquid hydrogen and fuel cell technology. The drone has already completed its maiden flight, representing a major contribution to AeroDelft's experience with hydrogen-powered flight. During the tests, it was tested whether the drone could fly on liquid hydrogen and whether it could also be controlled from the ground.
The drone serves as the starting point for the manned aircraft that will fly on hydrogen: the Phoenix Full Scale. The team has built the framework for the Phoenix Full Scale and is testing the hydrogen systems within that framework. Meanwhile, the team aims to fly its manned aircraft in 2024 using gaseous hydrogen and the following year, with liquid hydrogen.
AeroDelft student team
AeroDelft consists of a team of 50 students from Delft University of Technology. AeroDelft's mission is to demonstrate and promote hydrogen as an alternative to conventional aviation fuels.
“KLM wants to play a leading role in aviation innovation and is actively looking for opportunities to accelerate these developments. It takes the ingenuity and solutions of the younger generation so that we can think outside the box. AeroDelft's enthusiasm and hard work help enormously with this,” says Barry ter Voert, CXO and EVP Business Development.
"We are very happy to work with KLM on the future of aviation, it feels very rewarding to be supported by such a big player in the industry. Together we will work hard on realizing new and innovative technologies and training the engineers of the future. ", concludes Wouter van der Linden, Team Manager AeroDelft.