Bankstown-based eVTOL manufacturer AMSL Aero says it will be ready for hydrogen-electric flight testing its Vertiia prototype within a year.
The company recently completed 12 months of ground testing its 100-kW fuel cell test bench, which showed that since mid 2024, the company had used more than 200 kg of hydrogen. This successful testing sets-up the Vertiia for hydrogen-powered flight in mid 2026.
AMSL first flew the a Vertiia prototype untethered in November last year, but the aircraft ran off battery power.
AMSL chairman Chris Smallhorn said that ground testing showed that hydrogen-electric powertrains could provide a viable energy source for eVTOLs.
“In just one year, our world-class engineering team has successfully demonstrated the practical applications of hydrogen in aviation,” he said.
“Our collaboration with Bankstown Airport is instrumental in our ongoing mission to offer longer-distance flights that cut both the cost and carbon footprint of travel across Australia and elsewhere.”
AMSL Aero’s hybrid-electric Vertiia is expected to have a range of 540 nm on hydrogen, with applications for medevac, freight and passenger transport.
The test bench, which works as a fully functional mock-up of the hydrogen powertrain, not only powered the test plant, but the 200 kg of hydrogen used was sufficient to pour 30 mW of electricity into the power grid at Bankstown Airport.
"Thanks to AMSL Aero, Bankstown Airport became the first airport in Australia to introduce hydrogen as aviation fuel," said Tom Smith, CEO of Bankstown operator Aeria Management.
“A year on, we are proud to continue working with the pioneering team at AMSL Aero to land hydrogen-fuelled flights for all Australians, including essential emergency and aeromedical services in regional and rural Australia.”
AMSL also deployed the test bench to Wellington Airport in regional NSW for recharging the Vertiia between test flights.