#Switzerland #H55 #Electric Aviation #Sion #Propulsion Battery

H55 Achieves Historic Certification Milestone for Electric Aviation

In a significant development for the electric aviation sector, H55 has achieved a historic certification milestone. The company recently announced that it has completed the first-ever series of regulator-required tests for propulsion battery modules. This achievement marks a crucial step toward resolving a long-standing bottleneck in electric aviation: demonstrating to regulators that high-energy propulsion batteries can safely contain worst-case failure scenarios.

The certification test sequence was conducted under the supervision of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and involved a comprehensive evaluation of H55's battery modules to ensure their safety and reliability. This breakthrough enables H55 to set the standards for certification-grade aviation-safe propulsion battery systems, which will pave the way for the commercialization and financing of electric aircraft programs worldwide.

Addressing Certification Challenges

Historically, electric aviation has faced challenges in proving the safety of propulsion batteries to regulatory authorities. The newly completed certification tests provide compelling data that commercial lithium battery cells can be safely integrated into aviation propulsion systems capable of managing worst-case failure scenarios, such as fire propagation. H55’s success in completing this certification campaign confirms its capability to engineer, manufacture, and produce propulsion battery systems according to stringent aviation safety standards while maintaining regulatory approval throughout the manufacturing process.

Technical Details of the Certification Tests

The test campaign, which concluded on December 19, 2025, utilized hardware manufactured in a certified production facility, ensuring that the testing was performed on serial-conforming systems rather than prototypes. The success of this rigorous testing campaign highlights H55's innovative approach to enhancing battery safety by embedding monitoring, redundancy, and hazard mitigation directly at the cell level. This foundational design principle ensures that extreme failure conditions are contained according to aviation safety protocols.

By establishing a clear and repeatable certification pathway for its battery technology, H55 significantly reduces the adoption risks associated with electric aviation technologies. This proactive approach aligns with the interests of aircraft manufacturers, insurers, and investors alike, as it enables risk assessments based on validated failure data from regulatory authorities rather than uncertain program-level assumptions.

Implications for Future Programs

The accomplishments from H55's certification efforts not only support ongoing aircraft programs such as the BRM B23 Energic and the hybrid-electric Dash 8 demonstration program but also position H55 as a leader in advancing electric aviation technology. The data and evidence produced through this campaign form a robust foundation for the development and regulatory approval of both fully electric and hybrid-electric aircraft moving forward.

H55 has a rich background in electric aviation with over two decades of experience, including the design and operation of multiple electric aircraft models and the accumulation of more than 2,000 flight hours without battery-related incidents. This operational depth adds credibility to its certification capabilities.

Future Outlook in Electric Aviation

André Borschberg, H55’s Co-Founder and Executive Chairman, emphasized the importance of their objective to achieve certifiable electric aviation designs, which adhere closely to established safety standards. Meanwhile, Rob Solomon, the CEO, noted that this achievement marks a turning point for the electric aviation sector, effectively addressing one of the foremost technical hurdles in the path to certification.

This successful certification campaign translates to a newfound ability for H55 to facilitate scalable commercial deployment of electric and hybrid-electric aircraft without increasing program-level uncertainties. With recent partnerships established for mutual recognition of compliance between EASA and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), H55 is set to accelerate its market presence in the U.S. further.

In conclusion, H55’s certification milestone not only represents a significant leap for the company itself but also for the broader electric aviation industry, showing that safe, certified electric flight is not just a tantalizing prospect but a viable reality. This innovative achievement paves the way for future programs and scalable solutions that will transform the aviation landscape. H55 is ready to lead this transformation, demonstrating that electric aviation can achieve the essential certification discipline expected by regulators worldwide. Their commitment to safety, performance, and innovation will undoubtedly reshape the future of air travel as we know it.