French electric aircraft manufacturer Beyond Aero announced it has made a “significant step toward certificate and commercialization.”
The firm revealed its BYA-1 aircraft in 2023. It introduced it as the “first electric light jet designed for hydrogen propulsion, featuring a clean-sheet architecture optimized for gaseous hydrogen.”
In a press statement, the company explained that it is on track to deliver BYA-1, the first certified hydrogen-electric light jet, by 2030.
BYA-1: A zero-emissions light aircraft
Beyond Aero’s goal is to deliver a zero-emissions light aircraft with affordable maintenance costs. The company is working toward certification with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
The BYA-1 will feature a battery-free hydrogen fuel cell system. Two electric engines powered by independent powerplant channels will add redundancy to the aircraft. According to Beyond Aero, this design “enhances failure resilience and scalability while exceeding industry safety standards.”
With the latest announcement, Beyon Aero also said it has increased the aircraft’s fuel cell stack capacity to 2.4MW.
The BYA-1 was designed to have a range of roughly 800 nautical miles (nm), as well as National Business Aircraft Association (NBAA) reserves at 310 kats. The hydrogen-powered aircraft will have the capacity for six passengers.
The aircraft’s hydrogen tanks were also specifically placed for improved safety. According to Beyond Aero, the 700-bar fuel tanks are fitted above the wing box structure, which improves its crashworthiness.
The BYA-1 also features electric ducted fans (EDF) for improved propulsion efficiency and performance. These engineering choices should reduce the maintenance and operations costs, Beyond Aero explained. It is also designed to be less noisy than traditional light aircraft powered by fossil fuels.
Beyond Aero’s light jet powertrain has 90% fewer moving parts
Beyond Aero explained in its statement that it expects the aircraft to be certified under a TC Engine framework.
“The BYA-I light jet benefits from a simplified all-electric powertrain with 90% fewer moving parts, eliminating the need for a high-temperature turbine,” the company explained, adding that a modular engine swap system would streamline the overhaul.
“This design significantly lowers maintenance complexity,” Beyond Aero continued. According to the firm, this cuts operational costs by up to 55 percent.
The company also claims hydrogen fuel could eventually cut fuel costs by 65 percent when compared with power-to-liquid sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) in 2025. It will cut costs by 17 percent when compared with Jet A-1 by 2030. This makes it a “cost-efficient option for corporate clients and operators transitioning to lower-carbon aviation.”
Is hydrogen the future of aviation?
Beyond Aero isn’t the only company banking on hydrogen propulsion technology. Earlier this month, US firm Universal Hydrogen announced it had completed testing of a 1-megawatt (MW) fuel cell using liquid hydrogen. Airbus also announced in 2022 that it aims to test hydrogen engines on an A380 before 2030.
While hydrogen has potential as a green aviation fuel, the aviation industry must overcome a few key hurdles. If the aviation industry is to rely on hydrogen, it will have to develop a reliable supply chain for green hydrogen. Green hydrogen is sourced using renewable energy. Other forms emit large amounts of CO2.
Then there’s the fact that storing hydrogen in liquid form requires high pressure tanks to keep it at temperatures below minus 253 Celsius. All of this adds weight, reducing the range of the aircraft.
Hydrogen does have the edge over battery-electric propulsion systems. These simply can’t produce enough power for take off. However, until these key hydrogen hurdles are overcome, SAFs will likely be key to the aviation industry’s energy transition.
