The Hydrogen Hype Train: 1,150 Miles on a Single Tank? CEO Jet Says Yes
Image Credit: Sirius Aviation AG.
There’s no other way to put it - the aviation world's gone completely bonkers! Sirius Aviation, a Swiss mad scientists outfit, have just unveiled their CEO Jet, a winged eVTOL (that's "electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing" for the uninitiated) that claims it can fly a whopping 1,150 miles on hydrogen fuel cells. I've seen some outlandish claims in my time, but this one takes the biscuit. What if it can actually deliver?
Let's start with the basics. This flying contraption looks like something straight out of a sci-fi flick, with 28 ducted fans scattered about like a swarm of angry bees. Apparently, they're quieter than a dishwasher, though. So, if you're looking for a stealthy way to sneak up on your unsuspecting neighbors, this might be your ticket.
But the real secret is the hydrogen powertrain. Sirius Aviation claims it's 70% ready and tested, which sounds impressive until you realize that "tested" could mean anything from flying a scale model around the office to, well, actually flying the damn thing. And let's not forget that liquid hydrogen, while abundant, is also notoriously difficult to store and transport. So, unless they've invented some magical new hydrogen tank, I'm a tad skeptical.
Now, let's talk about the interior. It's sleek, minimalist, and looks like the lovechild of a spaceship and a luxury sedan. There's a "light portal" display that shows all sorts of fancy flight data, a carbon footprint tracker (because who doesn't want to feel guilty about their carbon footprint while cruising at 320 mph), and even a perfume dispenser to freshen you up before landing. That's what I call next-level attention to detail.
But let's not get too carried away here. Sirius Aviation says they're aiming for serial production by 2028. That's a bold claim, considering the regulatory hoops they'll have to jump through and the mountain of cash they'll need to raise. But who am I to rain on their parade? I’m actually rooting for them and hoping they get all the support they need.
If this outrageous hydrogen-electric jet wasn't enough, they've already teased their next creation: the "Adventure Jet." It's essentially the CEO Jet with inflatable pontoons for landing on water, hawk-eye cameras, and a dust cover for those pesky ducted fans. Oh, and did I mention the roof-rack shelter and off-grid tools? Because, you know, every adventurer needs a roof-rack shelter in the sky.
So, there you have it. The hydrogen hype train is full steam ahead, and Sirius Aviation is leading the charge. Whether this is the future of aviation or just another pie-in-the-sky idea remains to be seen. Yes, I am a tad skeptical but I really want this to work. Every time I put things into a microwave I expect them to explode, imagine a genuine surprise when they don’t. I love the idea of electric aviation, and if hydrogen is the way forward - I’m all for it. This could be the start of something truly revolutionary.
