Due to the need for environmentally friendly and efficient transportation, the MATCH (Model Aircraft Turbojet Combusting Hydrogen) senior design team at Florida Institute of Technology is creating the first hydrogen powered model jet aircraft. This project will be instrumental in terminating a dependence on fossil fuels, not only in the aerospace industry, but also in all aspects of transportation. The MATCH project is gaining support due to its relevance in today’s society.

The MATCH project is centered on three primary goals:

1. Modify a model turbojet engine to operate solely on gaseous hydrogen
2. Design a radio-controlled aircraft to be powered by the aforementioned engine
3. Construct the aircraft and integrate the converted engine into the aircraft

The most important criterion for determining the success of the project is to complete the conversion of the model turbojet engine. The design of the aircraft, capable of housing the converted engine and power system, is complete and construction began and culminated in the spring 2006 semester. Although not explicitly stated as a project goal, flight-testing of the aircraft is scheduled for April 2006 in anticipation of a successful flight.

The MATCH design team is working in conjunction with the National Center for Hydrogen Research at Florida Institute of Technology. The Center was recently founded and funded through a grant from NASA. To date, the center has worked on projects in safe storage, leak detection, fuel cells and internal combustion using hydrogen. One of the many products the center has completed is a small boat powered by an engine converted to operate on hydrogen.

The completion of the MATCH project will enhance the profile of, and encourage further research in, the use of hydrogen as a viable fuel as well as expand our knowledge in turbo machinery, hydrogen combustion and aircraft design and construction, while helping us to create more reliable and efficient transportation.