Centennial Airport Hosts Across USA Tour Stop

H55, an electric aircraft manufacturer based in Switzerland, conducted a series of flights at Centennial Airport (KAPA) outside Denver, Colorado, where the airport elevation is 5,858 ft MSL, and on days that were 36^o C (96.8^o F) and the resulting density altitude at takeoff was 9,500 ft.

The aircraft took off smoothly and provided a climb of 500 fpm using a normal runway distance.

The hot and high conditions tested the aircraft’s takeoff distance, climb performance, and overall efficiency. Where some combustion engines may be challenged by such an environment, the electric propulsion system of the Bristell B23 Energic yielded steady and reliable results.

Gregory Blatt, Co-Founder and Mission Director of H55 said, “Colorado offers one of the most demanding environments for aviation. This stop gives us a chance to demonstrate how electric propulsion is not only sustainable, but operationally consistent in conditions previously considered restrictive for many aircraft types.

“We’re especially grateful to Centennial Airport and jetCenters of Colorado for their warm welcome and support. Their commitment to innovation and sustainability reflects the shared mission of accelerating the adoption of clean aviation solutions.”

Centennial Flyers at Centennial, one of about a dozen flight schools at Denver area airports, became the first operator in Colorado to sign onto a Letter of Intent, or LOI, to formally commit to purchasing one of H55’s B23 Energic electric aircraft.

H55 said that the B23 Energic proved two major points during its tour stop at Centennial:
Can electric aircraft operate safely and effectively at high density altitudes: Yes. The B23 performed in conditions of 36^o C (96.8^o F) and a 9,500 ft density altitude with stable and strong climb at 500 fpm.

How does heat affect electric propulsion: H55’s battery and electric propulsion system performed within nominal thermal limits and no sign of degradation at ambient temperatures up to 40^o C (104^oF).

The next stop for H55’s tour and its Bristell B23 Energic will be at EAA AirVenture 2025 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It will be at the Electric Aircraft Symposium July 19-20 and then AirVenture July 21-27.

FMI:  h55.ch/