Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

H2Fly is preparing to resume flight demonstrations with its hybrid-electric propulsion technology in 2026 or 2027 as it seeks to transition from research work to technology partnerships that could result in market-ready applications. The German company’s CEO, Ralph Müller, told AIN&nbsp;that his engineering team is also working on proof of concepts for a variety of key components as it seeks to scale up the equipment it <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2023-09-13/h2flys-breakthrough-flight-demonstration-bolsters-case-liquid-hydrogen">first demonstrated</a> in September 2023.
As a wholly-owned subsidiary of eVTOL developer Joby Aviation, H2Fly appears to have deep enough pockets to play a long game. “On the one hand, we are financed for a couple of years, so we don’t need [immediate] external revenue and we can focus on making the base for commercial success,” Müller explained. “On the other hand, we have made strong moves with our business acumen and are screening the market to [identify] who are the [most viable] electric aircraft airframers and reach out to them asking how we can support them.”
At the same time, H2Fly is supporting its parent company’s ambitions to explore beyond the limitations of current battery-electric technology. In July, Joby appears to have flown a <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2025-07-14/joby-flies-hydrogen-powered-uas-9-hours">hydrogen-powered uncrewed aerial system</a> (UAS) in Oregon, 12 months after a confirmed <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-07-11/joby-and-h2fly-fly-hydrogen-powered-evtol-aircraft">523-mile flight</a> with a hydrogen-powered demonstrator version of its four-passenger eVTOL aircraft.
Apart from picking winners in a market segment that has seen some notable business failures this year, H2Fly’s leadership team is intently focused on the steps that now need to be taken to deliver a competitive product. “The first question is where does hydrogen electric propulsion make sense and when do batteries make sense,” Müller explained. “The useful market is anywhere between 30 to 50 kilowatts and 1 megawatt. We ask whether the system is scalable [for each use case] and where the technology gaps are that need to be closed.”
<h2>Varied Early Use Cases in the Frame</h2>
The conversations H2Fly is now having with prospective airframing partners span not only eVTOL and UAS vehicles, but also electric conventional takeoff and landing aircraft for passenger and cargo transportation, up to the size of a regional airliner. The company is seeking to resolve how the technology would perform at different altitudes and across a spectrum of operating conditions.
Technology challenges still in question are around power density and the inevitable trade-offs between power/weight and propulsion efficiency. Lessons learned from the models H2Fly has built and tested so far have pointed to the need to have the right critical components and, where these cannot be provided by suppliers, it has resolved to develop these in-house. These include <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2023-06-20/h2fly-launches-higher-performance-hydrogen-fuel-cells">fuel cells</a>, heat exchangers, valves, and hydrogen tanks.
Müller, who has been in the job for 12 months now, said that if all goes well, H2Fly expects to be announcing some substantial partnerships around the middle of 2026. It is also expanding its human resources and expects to increase the workforce by around 20% over the next few months.
The company still believes early use cases could be ready to start <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aerospace/2025-04-10/hydrogen-pioneer-says-first-aircraft-will-be-service-2030">commercial operations from 2030</a>, although there are uncertainties around which business cases will proceed and which new aircraft will be prioritized for certification by regulators. “This is not up to H2Fly, but we will support the manufacturers and, from the perspective of maturity and understanding the requirements, we are ready for certification,” Müller concluded. “If we have another two years of tests and then start type certification, then 2030 is possible, and perhaps even earlier for uncrewed systems.”

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

H2Fly Prepares for More Hydrogen-electric Flight Tests and Partnerships

Joby’s funding keeps revenue-raising pressure at bay for a couple more years

Hydrogen propulsion pioneer H2Fly is preparing for more flight tests as it nails down strategic partnerships that could see aircraft enter service from 2030.

H2Fly Prepares for More Hydrogen-electric Flight Tests 

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Proprietary formula took more than 15 years to develop

GE Explores Dust Effects on Turbine Engine Operations

Kerry Lynch

Sesame engine covers can be installed while standing on ground

Sesame Provides Innovative Cover for Bizjet Engines

Amy Wilder

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Trevor Milton, Gregg Williams ink deal at NBAA-BACE 2025

SyberJet Selects Williams FJ44-4A for SJ36 Light Jet

Curt Epstein

The turboprop engines are being assembled in the Czech Republic

GE Aerospace Preps First Catalyst for Denali Delivery

The OEM has switched its production from Global 7500 engines to those for the Model 8000

GE Aerospace Prepares Passports for Global 8000 Liftoff

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

UK start-up will supply eight electric propulsion systems for each aircraft

Electra Selects Evolito to Power EL9 Hybrid-Electric Aircraft

Charlotte Bailey

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Integrated system assembly of hydrogen fuel cell powertrain expected by year-end

Project Newborn Team Targets Hydrogen Flights in 2028 

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

More In Engines