UK CAA selects three participants for next hydrogen aviation sandbox round
Why It MattersThe selections extend regulatory testing of hydrogen propulsion, storage and airside infrastructure, feeding safety data and gap analysis that could shape future certification pathways for hydrogen-powered aviation.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has named three participants for the next round of its Hydrogen Challenge sandbox programme: Beyond Aero in partnership with London City Airport and the University of East London; DreamerBoy Technologies Ltd; and Saxon Air.
The Beyond Aero-led consortium will examine how hydrogen-electric aircraft could affect turnaround operations in a live airport environment, alongside building educational foundations for future aviation workers. Beyond Aero is developing One, a six-to-eight-passenger hydrogen-electric business aircraft using fuel-cell propulsion, gaseous hydrogen storage and advanced thermal management. DreamerBoy Technologies Ltd is developing NOVAE+, an adaptive intelligent cryogenic compressed hydrogen storage system with AI-powered controls that monitors and optimises onboard hydrogen storage at very low temperatures and high pressure for zero boil-off performance; through the sandbox it will develop, integrate and test storage systems to generate safety data and regulatory insights. Saxon Air will expand existing infrastructure to provide airside hydrogen storage and supply for ground support equipment and unmanned aircraft systems.
The CAA said it will work with the selected organisations to explore opportunities, risks, safety challenges and potential regulatory gaps. Previous rounds of the Hydrogen Challenge saw hydrogen-powered ground vehicles complete a zero-carbon aircraft turnaround at Exeter Airport, and Rolls-Royce, in partnership with easyJet, modified a Pearl 15 engine to run on 100% hydrogen through take-off thrust and a fully simulated flight cycle.
