Boeing’s Fuel Cell Powered Airplane

For more info see http://www.fencecheck.com/forums/index.php/topic,15749.0.html Ok, ok, here’s more info: Boeing Research & Technology Europe (BR&TE) in Madrid, with assistance from industry partners in many countries, has flown a manned airplane powered by hydrogen fuel cells, a first in aviation history. A Dimona (a.k.a. Katana) motor-glider with a 16.3-meter wingspan was modified by BR&TE to include a Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cell/lithium-ion battery hybrid system. Three test flights took place at the airfield in OcaƱa over February and March. During the flights, the pilot climbed to an altitude of 3,300 feet ASL using a combination of battery power and power generated by hydrogen fuel cells, then flew straight and level at a cruising speed of 62 miles per hour on power solely generated by the fuel cells for approximately 20 minutes.