French startup Beyond Aero has released new details and images for the hydrogen-electric business jet it is developing.
The company first revealed its CS23 hydrogen-electric light jet concept in 2023 and plans to deliver its first certified aircraft by 2030.
If the development program is successful, the BYA-1 will be the first clean-sheet hydrogen-electric business jet fueled by gaseous hydrogen. Beyond Aero successfully flight-tested its hydrogen propulsion system last year.
The company was founded in 2020 and is based at Toulouse-Francazal Airport in France.
The BYA-1 business jet has a range of 1,500km (930 miles) and a cruise speed of 573 km/h (356mph). The aircraft is designed for operational flexibility, with a take-off ground roll of 620m (516ft) and an approach angle of 5.5°, making it suitable for constrained airports such as London City.
The BYA-1 will use a low-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack with a capacity of 2.4MW to power its two electric engines. The aircraft’s 700-bar gaseous hydrogen tanks are integrated within the wingbox structure, eliminating the need for high-pressure fuel lines inside the pressurized cabin.
Its two electric ducted fans will use an advanced thermal management system optimized for efficiency. A custom-designed FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) will be used to ensure performance across all flight phases.
Certification pathway
CS-23 regulations do not yet account for hydrogen-powered aircraft, so EASA will need to establish a special condition for the aircraft.
Beyond Aero said it is working with EASA on regulatory approvals, ensuring its aircraft meets stringent safety and certification standards. The company submitted its Design Organisation Approval (DOA) application in April 2024 and has progressed through EASA’s Pre-Application Services. It is currently defining a certification framework for hydrogen-powered aircraft.
Walter Filho, head of certification said, “Beyond Aero is setting the precedent for hydrogen-electric certification. Working closely with EASA, we are shaping regulatory pathways that will enable the safe and efficient adoption of hydrogen propulsion in aviation.”
Beyond Aero has also published this whitepaper about its strategy for introducing hydrogen-electric aviation.
Expert advisory committee
To validate the BYA-1 program’s feasibility and certification, Beyond Aero has appointed an expert advisory committee of aerospace experts. These include Stéphane Mayer, former CEO of EADS Socata, ATR, Daher, Nexter; Erik Carlson, aerospace consultant and former technical director of stress and structural design, HondaJet; said Dominique Roland, aerospace consultant and former head of general aviation at EASA.
According to the company it has signed letters of intent for 72 aircraft, with a value of US$580 million. Beyond Aero employs a team of over 70 highly qualified engineers from leading aerospace companies, actively recruiting 30 more.
