Boeing to Develop a Fuel Cell Powered Airplane

gilgsn writes: "From Yahoo News: Boeing is working with a light airplane manufacturer in Spain on a fuel cell powered plane. The efficiency of electric motors, with their reliability, acceleration, lack of vibrations and noise has a lot to offer to general aviation. The project aims at exploring environmentally friendly modes of propulsion. I can easily imagine a hybrid aircraft using fuel cell technology for take-off and altitude gain, coupled with solar cells to sustain flight. I hope a kitplane manufacturer in the United States will read this. I can't wait to fly a fuel cell powered ultralight!" CD: The question is can a fuel cell deliver enough energy for a flight long enough to be practical.

Comments

Hydrogen dangerous?

[CheezWizFire]

Is hydrogen that dangerous? In a leak situation it quickly disperses and floats away right? As opposed to other fuels that will burn in an accident. I mean everyone dies in plan crashes anyways, I donlt think the survival record can get much worse. And if we all had secure hydrogen fuel tanks in a safe location in our cars and then I proposed that we instead carry around many gallons of flamable and explosive gasoline in thin tanks that rupture in accidents followed by the fuel spilling and flowing until it found a spark you would all call me crazy.

-Steven

Solar Cells

[Spudley]

I've always thought that aircraft wings are one of the most obvious places to put solar cells. On a day-time flight, you're practically garuanteed maximum sunshine for the whole duration.

Even if you don't use it directly to power the engines, there's still plenty of electronics on your average aircraft that could use it.