We’ve heard a lot lately about biofuel breakthroughs, batteries and solar power as potential replacements for avgas at some point in the not-so-distant future, but what about liquid hydrogen?
The maiden flight of Boeing’s Phantom Eye UAV last week proved that hydrogen could indeed serve as a replacement for traditional fuels in piston-powered airplanes. Phantom Eye uses a pair of modified 2.3-liter Ford engines, similar to those the carmaker eventually wants to bring to the open road. If hydrogen one day becomes a viable fuel source for cars, there’s no question it can make the transition to general aviation airplanes as well.
