First prize for South Africas FlyH2
Congratulations to Cape Town-based FlyH2 Aerospace who have won first prize at the first Avi Awards for their prototype unmanned aircraft system (UAS).
The prototype aircraft, developed by Mark van Wyk – a private pilot and entrepreneur from CapeTown – walked away with the first prize at the first AVI Awards (Afrique Aviation Innovation) in Pretoria on 29 October. It demonstrates the potential of hydrogen fuel cell technology (HFCT) to bring alternative and clean power solutions to South Africa, as well as the country’s innovative capabilities in the HFCT space.
Hydrogen fuel cell swill provide an electric propulsion alternative that is carbon-neutral,has zero emissions and is completely environmentally friendly, enabling the UAV to survey larger areas for environmental research at a lower energy cost and environmental risk.
South African researchers will also potentially be able to gather comprehensive and important Earth observation data with the intention of improving land-use, planning and environmental management,which in turn will add to improved sustainability.
The AVI Awards, introduced at the Avi Afrique Innovation Summit, are the culmination of a partnership between the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and the Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS)
