Cranfield Aerospace Solutions (CAeS) has selected Evolito – the YASA Motors spin-out – to supply the electric motors and inverters for its conversion of a Britten-Norman BN2 Islander to hydrogen fuel cell power.

Evolito will provide a pair of D1500 motors to the project, each designed to produce up to 270kW of continuous power. CAeS says the hydrogen fuel cell powertrain is rated at 240kW.

Project Fresson motor-c-CAeS

Source: Cranfield Aerospace Solutions

Compact size of motor will enable installation in Islander’s nacelle

It cites the motors’ light weight and compact size as key to their selection, enabling integration into the Islander’s engine nacelles.

Being developed through the UK government-funded Project Fresson, the Islander demonstrator is due to fly in late 2023.

Supplemental type certification for the powertrain conversion is due in 2025, with service entry the following year. Customers to date include Air New Zealand, German start-up Evia Aero and lessor Monte Aircraft Leasing.

Dominic Perry is deputy editor of Flight International but also contributes extensively to flightglobal.com. Although specialising in the coverage of the helicopter industry, he has written on most topics in aerospace – be they commercial, defence or business aviation. In addition, there has been an increasing focus on the decarbonisation of the industry and zero-emission flight initiatives.View full Profile

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