Aircraft Moves Closer To First Flight At Year's End

Textron has shared the fact that it’s completed initial ground engine runs on the prototype Beechcraft Denali single engine turboprop. The aircraft is powered by GE’s new Catalyst engine. Functionality of the fuel system and engine is verified alongside the avionics and electrical systems. The clean-sheet design aircraft now moves a step closer to its first flight which the company looks forward to around the end of the year. “These successful engine runs are a significant step toward the upcoming inaugural flight for the Beechcraft Denali, and they are a testament to the determination and collaboration from both the Textron Aviation and GE Aviation teams,” said Chris Hear

HyPoint Set To Begin Development Of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Systems

A $6.5 million dollar deal has been made between HyPoint and Piasecki Aircraft. HyPoint will begin development of hydrogen fuel cell systems for the PA-890 aircraft, which according to the companies, will be the first crewed helicopter to be powered by hydrogen. Piasecki has been working with HyPoint since March of this year, but the processes have now been formalized into a “multi-phase collaborative development agreement” that will finish with the creation of five 650-kilowatt hydrogen fuel cell systems to use in the PA-890 compound helicopter.