Hydrogen-fueled subsonic aircraft: A perspective

The performance characteristics of hydrogen-fueled subsonic transport aircraft are compared to those using conventional aviation kerosene. Additional aspects discussed include potential improvements in the exhaust emissions characteristics of aircraft jet engines, problems associated with onboard fuel containment, results of recent studies of the impact of hydrogen-fueled aircraft on the airport and associated ground support equipment, and estimates of the cost and thermal efficiency of producing synthetic aviation fuels from coal.