Aircraft maintenance provider FEAM Aero is breaking into the advanced air mobility segment through a new partnership with hydrogen-electric engine developer ZeroAvia. The companies signed a memorandum of understanding April 9 related to retrofit, maintenance and technical support for hydrogen-electric aircraft.
Under the agreement, FEAM—which first signaled interest in the advanced air mobility (AAM) market at last year’s MRO Americas event—will explore how its more than 50 global locations could support MRO services for operators flying aircraft powered by ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric engine design. FEAM already services aircraft platforms such as the De Havilland Canada Dash 8 and Bombardier CRJ, which are relevant for the larger powertrain ZeroAvia is developing for 30-90 seat aircraft.
FEAM will also look into establishing a green hydrogen production facility at one of its U.S. locations to help support early retrofits, testing and training.
During the groundbreaking ceremony for its new Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) hangar on March 28, FEAM spoke to Aviation Week about its upcoming plans for the AAM market. “We’ve been kind of under the radar the last couple of years,” says Dan Allawat, FEAM’s chief strategy officer. “We have a thought that with 30-plus physical locations and 1,400 or so mechanics, we have an infrastructure, geography and workforce that will be of value to that community as it evolves. And we believe that our mechanics will be touching electric and/or hydrogen-powered airplanes sooner rather than later. We’re trying to find our place in that.”
Allawat says FEAM has established an office at the National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence in Springfield, Ohio and it is in the “early stages” of exploring relationships with several AAM OEMs. Allawat says FEAM sees additional opportunities in areas such as hydrogen retrofits, aircraft charging and line maintenance, and could even consider installation of charging infrastructure at its hangars.
FEAM is also planning to incorporate AAM-relevant curriculum into its aircraft mechanic school joint venture with Epic Flight Academy at CVG, which recently received FAA Part 147 certification.
“Fuel cell and electric propulsion systems will keep aircraft flying longer, but the improved economics and drastically reduced environmental impact also mean that there will be more flying, so there is a big opportunity for MRO providers in this transition,” says James Peck, ZeroAvia’s chief customer officer.
ZeroAvia is targeting certification for its first hydrogen-electric powertrain for up to 20-seat aircraft by the end of 2025. It hopes to certify its larger powertrain for 30-90 seat aircraft by 2027.
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