RVL Aviation, a specialist in charter and aerial services based at East Midlands Airport, is set to revolutionize domestic cargo transport in the UK by operating Cessna 208B Caravan aircraft retrofitted with ZeroAvia’s cutting-edge hydrogen-electric ZA600 powertrain. The company, known for its diverse aerial operations and maintenance expertise, is negotiating a lease deal with global asset manager Monte to support the launch of these sustainable cargo flights.
ZeroAvia positions this initiative as potentially the world’s inaugural hydrogen-electric commercial aviation operation. The propulsion innovator has already successfully flight-tested the ZA600 system in the UK on a modified Dornier 228 aircraft. The ZA600 is currently progressing through the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s certification process. Both ZeroAvia and RVL Aviation assert that the retrofitted Caravan will fulfill operational demands while dramatically lowering carbon emissions.
The ZA600 powertrain harnesses compressed gaseous hydrogen stored onboard, channeling it into fuel cell stacks where it reacts with atmospheric oxygen to produce electricity, emitting only water vapor and heat as byproducts. This clean electricity drives high-performance electric motors that spin the aircraft’s propellers, providing thrust without any direct emissions. The system incorporates advanced inverters to optimize power delivery from fuel cells to motors, replacing traditional combustion engines with a zero-emission alternative.
RVL Aviation plans to commence cargo flights with these hydrogen-electric Caravans following full certification of the engine, airframe integration, and operational approvals, alongside comprehensive pilot training. This pioneering step marks a significant move towards sustainable aviation and sets a precedent for future green air transport solutions.