(Toulouse, France) – French aircraft manufacturer Beyond Aero has completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) of its planned hydrogen-electric business jet. This confirms the feasibility of integrating hydrogen storage, electric propulsion, thermal management, a fuel cell system, and safety systems into a certified aircraft architecture. The next step involves detailed design planning.
Top view: Gaseous hydrogen is stored in tanks above the wing structure. © Beyond Aero
In the twin-propeller aircraft, gaseous hydrogen is stored at 700 bar in tanks above the wing structure. This avoids the "additional complexity of cryogenic liquid storage." The configuration allows for natural ventilation and compatibility with existing and emerging airport refueling infrastructure. The preliminary design study confirms that the main systems – propulsion, hydrogen storage, aerodynamics, and avionics – have reached the required level of maturity for certification.
Refueling rendering: Beyond Aero is developing a ground-based hydrogen supply infrastructure in parallel with the aircraft design. © Beyond Aero
“Our goal is a new business jet tailored to hydrogen-electric propulsion, meeting the performance, safety, and operational standards expected in aviation,” says Luiz Oliveira, Chief Engineer at Beyond Aero. The program envisions the construction of a six-passenger jet with a range of 800 nautical miles (1.500 kilometers). The aircraft is designed to operate with both stationary 700-bar systems and mobile refueling at 350 bar. In parallel, the company, founded in December 2020, is developing the hydrogen supply infrastructure. It has signed more than ten letters of intent with airport operators and over 16 with hydrogen production and distribution partners.
Universal Hydrogen conducted its first test flights with a fuel cell-powered Dash 8 at Moses Lake in 2023. Soon after, the company ran out of money. Beyond Aero bought components and patents from the bankruptcy estate in 2025. © Universal Hydrogen Co.
Beyond Aero completed France's first manned, fully hydrogen-electric flight in 2024 with a converted ultralight aircraft (G1 SPYL-XL) powered by an 85-kilowatt engine. The aircraft was named after aviation pioneer Louis Blériot, who first crossed the English Channel from France to England in 1909. Last autumn, Beyond Aero acquired all patents, data, and some components from Universal Hydrogen Co. The US company planned to convert aircraft from existing fleets to hydrogen propulsion on a large scale. Initial test flights had already been completed ( as we have reported several times ). However, the company then ran out of money and filed for bankruptcy.
Beyond Aero employs more than 80 aerospace engineers in Toulouse, Paris, and Los Angeles. It receives support from industry partners such as EKPO, FEV, AVL, Aeronnova, TAT Technologies, Airbus Protect, and Bureau Veritas. Investors include Giant Ventures, Bpifrance, Initialized Capital, Female Founders Fund, and 7 Percent Ventures.
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Beyond Aero has completed preliminary studies for a hydrogen-electric business jet and is now moving into the extended design planning phase. © Beyond Aero
