Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Deutsche Aircraft is working with German start-up H2Fly to develop hydrogen fuel cell technology to convert the Dornier 328 twin turboprop regional airliner. Under a memorandum of understanding signed on July 6, the partners are aiming to get a demonstrator aircraft flying in 2025, with a view to supporting commercial operations with up to 40 passengers.
H2Fly is the result of a partnership between the German Aerospace Center and the University of Ulm, which has previously conducted work on hydrogen fuel cells. This led to the development and flight testing in 2020 of a four-seat hydrogen-electric aircraft called the HY4, which made more than 70 flights, demonstrating a potential range of up to 750 km (469 miles).
The planned demonstrator aircraft to be developed with Deutsche Aircraft will have a much more powerful 1.5 MW hydrogen system. The partners are aiming to certify hydrogen-powered aircraft under the requirements of EASA’s CS-25 class for certifying larger commercial airliners.
Deutsche Aircraft is already working on a conversion program for the Dornier 328 called the D328eco. This involves stretching the fuselage of the existing regional airliner by two meters to accommodate up to 43 passengers and installing new Pratt &amp; Whitney PW127S engines that can run on sustainable aviation fuel. The company&nbsp;aims&nbsp;to complete the preliminary design review for this project in September and expects to have the aircraft in production by 2025.
Garmin and GKN Aerospace are already signed up as partners for the D328eco program. Germany's Heggemann group is developing the aircraft's landing gear, which is being designed for use on unpaved runways. The company recently completed ground tests on the main and nose landing gear, for which work has now reached the detailed design phase.
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Charles Alcock

Deutsche Aircraft is now advancing plans with H2Fly to convert Dornier 328 aircraft to hydrogen propulsion. (Image: Deutsche Aircraft)

German Companies Partner To Convert Regional Airliner to Hydrogen Power

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