H55: The Spark Behind Sustainable Electric-Powered Flight

The B23’s design mirrors its combustion twin with the same look and same experience, ideal for schools with mixed fleets. The difference lies within: batteries replace fuel tanks, and a smaller engine fits the nose. H55’s avionics monitor engine and battery behavior. The collected data supports redesigns, testing, and certification. This electric B23 allows flight schools to train economically, using electric for short flights and combustion for longer ones without needing to retrain students for different cockpits.

Electric aircraft offer compelling advantages: reduced noise, zero emissions, and quick responsiveness, like electric cars. Market feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Gregory notes that experienced pilots are wowed by the performance and silence. The low noise enhances communication, eliminating the need for headsets during flight. The system's reliability, efficiency, and cost savings, especially in energy, make it a viable alternative. This positions H55 to lead in a shifting market, especially in training aircraft where ageing fleets are due for replacement.

In 2017, H55 identified training aircraft as an ideal entry point for electric propulsion. Battery energy density aligned well with short circuit flights. Plus, many aircraft in training fleets are decades old, facing costly overhauls. Flight schools, particularly in Europe, are sensitive to noise and emissions, making electric options appealing. The business case is strong. Electric aircraft are cheaper to operate, and their environmental and economic benefits are compelling for schools under regulatory and community pressure.

Gregory uses a simple analogy: in combustion vehicles, only a third of energy goes to propulsion. Electric propulsion offers up to 94% efficiency, much like their Solar Impulse aircraft. That means lower operating costs and less environmental impact. The energy you save is the cheapest you’ll ever get. With increasing pressure on airports near dense populations, low-noise, high-efficiency aircraft like H55’s become not just attractive but essential.

The future of aviation is likely to be hybrid. Gregory believes battery-powered aircraft are great for short-haul flights, like those within Europe. But for long-haul routes, hybrids using batteries to support non-propulsion systems could be the key. This shift may not suit 747s just yet, but for regional and commuter aircraft, hybrids are coming. Gregory likens it to automotive progress: electric may not fit every use case, but hybrid certainly does.

There’s something poetic about flying in silence. Gregory describes flights over the Swiss Alps with no noise, just panoramic views and serenity. It’s not just about efficiency and sustainability. There’s a new kind of flying experience emerging. Pilots are moved by the quiet, by the responsiveness. It’s like watching a silent movie, but the landscape is real. This emotional connection may well be the most powerful argument for electric flight.

PTC’s Mark Simpson explains how H55 uses Codebeamer, a powerful application lifecycle management tool. It’s built for safety-critical industries like aerospace. Codebeamer ensures every software requirement is traceable, testable, and compliant with regulations. For H55, it maps each design spec through development and testing, crucial for meeting aviation standards. It streamlines certification and ensures the final product meets both regulatory and customer expectations. Codebeamer helps H55 manage complex product development, ensuring electric motors and systems meet strict aviation standards. Its agile, traceable workflows support innovation and speed.