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Beyond Aero Demos Bizjet Hydrogen Propulsion System
By: Charles Alcock
Caption: French start-up is developing an eight-seat business jet
Word Count: 517
Beyond Aero has reported that it has achieved technology readiness level 6 (TRL6) with the hydrogen-electric propulsion system it is developing for its planned BYA-1 business jet. On October 1, the French start-up said it had demonstrated a full-scale example of the powertrain at its headquarters in Toulouse.
According to Beyond Aero, it will now continue to optimize the propulsion system as work continues with the preliminary design review for the eight-seat model, which it aims to bring to market in 2030. The company declined to say when it expects to complete the preliminary and critical design reviews, or when it will be ready to integrate all the key systems into the first full-scale prototype.
EASA has engaged with Beyond Aero through its Pre-Application Services unit, which supports manufacturers in the early stages of type certification. The company is aiming to achieve approval for the propulsion system and aircraft under the European regulator’s CS-23 rules.
The hydrogen-electric powertrain laboratory in Toulouse replicates three representative channels using hardware from three fuel cell providers, with total capacity of 1,200 kilowatts. Additionally, the facility is equipped to compress, fill, store, and use hydrogen gas at 700 bar with Type IV tanks that the company says could be safely scaled for operational use.
Beyond Aero also reported that it has acquired the intellectual property, flight data, and assets of Universal Hydrogen, which folded in mid-2024 after running out of cash to complete its plans to convert regional airliners to hydrogen-electric propulsion. It said it now controls the Californian company’s entire patent portfolio and test bench components, including electric turbocompressors. Several former Universal Hydrogen engineers have been recruited.
Partners contributing to the propulsion system include EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies, which has provided its NM20 platform for energy conversion, and FEV Aerospace, which helped to engineer the fuel cell system. BrightLoop Converters provided DC-DC converters, while AVO contributed test center infrastructure for the TRL6 campaign.
The Airbus Protect subsidiary of the European aerospace group has supported the project with safety analysis and certification services, including functional hazard assessments and safety cases. Dassault Systèmes has produced virtual twins of the aircraft and powertrain.
According to Beyond Aero, which was founded in December 2020, the BYA-1 will be able to carry six passengers up to 800 nm. The company told AIN it has hosted onsite visits in Toulouse by a number of prospective customers for the aircraft.
“We’ve now reached TRL6, our hydrogen-electric propulsion works at full scale, with ground and in-flight data conditions,” said Beyond Aero CEO Eloa Guillotin. “That’s 18 months of relentless teamwork, powered by an environment where ambition is matched by rigor and where every achievement is the result of collective determination. Leading such a talented, diverse, and purpose-driven team is both an honor and a responsibility.”
In January, the company raised $20 million through a Series A funding round, with total capital raised since launch now standing at more than $50 million. It declined to say when and how further funding efforts might be undertaken.