ZeroAvia today announced that it has been awarded design organisation approval (DOA) by the UK CAA, a critical milestone on its path to certifying a hydrogen-electric engine intended for Part 23 aircraft, said the company.
“The accreditation confirms that the CAA is satisfied that ZeroAvia has the technical expertise, facilities and capabilities to design safe and reliable products, and is prepared to comply with stringent requirements for certification,” according to a company press release. “The award means that ZeroAvia has become the first company globally seeking to certify a hydrogen-electric aviation powertrain to receive DOA accreditation from a national regulator. The award confirms that a manufacturer is qualified to design and hold a type certificate for propulsion systems developed under commercial aviation regulations. These requirements are intended to ensure safe global market entry and have been adopted by other regulatory authorities, including EASA and the FAA.”
Securing DOA represents an essential enabler towards the company’s goal of securing a type certificate for its ZA600 – a 600kW powertrain which uses fuel cells to generate electricity from hydrogen, thus powering electric motors to turn aircraft propellers. Water vapour is the only emission from the engine, and it promises greater efficiency and reduced maintenance costs for airlines, said ZeroAvia.
Achieving DOA status follows two other significant regulatory milestones for ZeroAvia this year, with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issuing both G-1 and P-1 issue papers in relation to ZeroAvia’s bid to certify its 600kW electric propulsion system (EPS). The 600kW EPS is made up of the company’s proprietary motor and power electronics technology and is both an integral part of the overall ZA600 hydrogen-electric powertrain, and a power-source agnostic electric engine in its own right, with a range of applications.
Earlier this year, ZeroAvia confirmed that RVL Aviation intends to be the first operator to fly the ZA600 engine in a Cessna Caravan 208b on cargo routes in the UK. The company is also working to scale the hydrogen-electric propulsion technology for larger segments of aircraft and has secured thousands of engine pre-orders with airlines across the world.
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