Zero-emissions propulsion developer ZeroAvia has selected Paine Field, near Everett in Washington state, as the location for a flight research center to support development of a hydrogen-electric powertrain for the De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 regional turboprop.
Seattle-based Alaska Air Group in October 2021 announced that it was investing in ZeroAvia and partnering with the U.S./UK startup to develop the ZA2000 hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain for retrofit to the 76-seat Dash 8-400s flown by its regional subsidiary Horizon Air.
Paine Field will become ZeroAvia’s third R&D center after Hollister, California, and Kemble in the UK. Washington State Department of Commerce has awarded the startup a $350,000 economic development grant to convert a warehouse in Everett into office and R&D space.
ZeroAvia joins a growing list of clean-aviation companies located in Washington, including electric propulsion system pioneer MagniX in Everett and electric regional aircraft developer Eviation in Arlington. Also, several airports in the state are installing electric aircraft charging stations.
Initially ZeroAvia is developing the 600-kW ZA600 hydrogen-electric powertrain for 9-19-seat aircraft and is preparing to begin flight tests of a modified Dornier 228 propulsion testbed in the UK. The ZA600 is planned to be ready for commercial operations beginning in 2024.
A second Dornier 228 has been acquired for conversion at Hollister and flight testing on the U.S. West Coast. Hollister is also home to ZeroAvia’s HyperTruck, a modified heavy-duty military vehicle modified for ground testing of the company’s hydrogen-electric powertrains.
The startup has begun development of the 2-5-megawatt ZA2000 to power 40-80-seat regional turboprops and jets. ZeroAvia has conditional orders for retrofit kits to convert the ATR 72, Dash 8-400 and Bombardier CRJ from customers including United Airlines as well as Alaska Airlines.
ZeroAvia will refurbish the Everett building and prepare the site for a launch team of 20 design and software engineers who will support development of the ZA2000 powertrain for the Dash 8-400 in conjunction with Alaska Airlines and De Havilland Canada.
Alaska has secured options for up to 50 kits to begin converting its regional aircraft to hydrogen-electric propulsion and will contribute a Dash 8-400 for development of the conversion as well as providing engineering support to ZeroAvia.
“We conducted a national search to locate our third R&D site,” ZeroAvia founder and CEO Val Miftakhov said. State funds were requested by Economic Alliance Snohomish County. “Given the age of the facility we will be occupying, this grant closed a gap related to facility construction,” Miftakhov said.
Rival zero-emissions propulsion developer Universal Hydrogen has partnered with Seattle-based AeroTECH to base testing and certification of its hydrogen-electric powertrain conversion for the Dash 8 at the aircraft modification specialist’s flight-test facility in Moses Lake, Washington.
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