Beyond Aero Hydrogen-Electric Jet Advances Toward Certification

The BYA-1 said the aircraft introduced two years ago is "the first electric light jet designed for hydrogen propulsion, featuring a clean-sheet architecture optimized for gaseous hydrogen."

The manufacturer is working with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) toward certification, Beyond Aero said.

Among the design features are a battery-free hydrogen fuel cell system with built-in redundancy of two electric engines powered by independent powerplant channels. According to the designers, this enhances failure resilience and scalability while exceeding industry safety standards. 

The hydrogen tank placement was also designed to enhance safety as the fuel tanks are integrated above the wing box structure, improving crashworthiness. The aircraft also integrates electric ducted fans (EDF) to optimize propulsion efficiency and performance under extreme conditions. The jet is outfitted with a custom-design FADEC (full authority digital engine control) ensuring precise performance across all flight phases.

Beyond Aero said the system is expected to be certified under a TC Engine framework, calling it a "new benchmark in electric propulsion."

The company said the engineering choices will reduce the maintenance and operations costs of the BYA-1.

"[That] significantly lowers maintenance complexity, cutting operational costs by up to 55 percent while ensuring higher reliability for business jet operators,” Beyond Aero said. “Hydrogen fuel is expected to cut fuel costs by 65 percent versus power-to-liquid SAFs by 2025 and 17 percent  versus jet-A-1 by 2030, making it a cost-efficient option for corporate clients and operators transitioning to lower-carbon aviation."

The BYA-1 is intended to have a range of 800 nm plus NBAA reserves at 310 ktas. The jet will have seating for six passengers, and takeoff performance is expected to be a ground roll of 1,860 feet and an approach angle of 5.5 degrees, making it suitable for constrained spaces.

The jet is also designed to be quieter than its fossil-fuel powered contemporaries, the company said.