• 28 Aug 2020 06:11 PM
• 0

Alaka’i Building Second-Gen H2 eVTOL

Massachusetts-based Alakai revealed to NewAtlas.com on July 9 that it was developing a second-generation liquid hydrogen-powered Skai eVTOL prototype. Originally unveiled in May 2019 (see “Flying in the Skai with Hydrogen, Vertiflite, July/August 2019), the first-generation prototype made tethered tests last year. The new Skai demonstrator, expected to fly next year, takes lessons learned from the first vehicle. The 3,000–4,000 lb (1.4–1.8 metric ton) Skai is the world’s largest liquid hydrogen-powered aircraft in the world — electric VTOL or conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL). Hydrogen has much higher energy density than conventional liquid fuels and produces only water for emissions. (Sources: Alaka’i, New Atlas)