Insider Brief:
- French startup Beyond Aero aims to secure certification by 2030.
- It changes the placement of the gaseous hydrogen tanks from inside the cabin to under the wingbox.
- It also adds a thermal management system for electric ducted fans to optimize propulsion efficiency.
French startup Beyond Aero has introduced an updated concept for its hydrogen-electric light jet, and aims to deliver the first certified jet of this type by 2030.
The Toulouse-based company has upgraded the jet plans with several new updates. The jet will now have a battery-free hydrogen cell system with built-in redundancy, to bolster failure resistance and scalability. The fuel stack capacity has been expanded to 2.4 megawatts.
Beyond Aero has also changed the placement of the optimized gaseous hydrogen tanks from inside the pressurised cabin, to above the wing box structure to minimize risk.
The company has also added a thermal management system for electric ducted fans to optimize propulsion efficiency and performance. The propulsion system will be certified under a TC engine framework.
These changes will also lower maintenance and operational costs, Beyond Aero said. Because the powertrain now has 90% fewer moving parts, the need for a high-temperature turbine has been eliminated. Beyond Aero is now considering a modular engine swap system for streamlined overhaul.
The changes mean operational costs have been cut as much as 55%, Beyond Aero said.
Beyond Aero has also convened an expert advisory committee of aerospace and aviation leaders to assist in preparing the airplane for certification and marketing. The committee includes former top executives from Air France, Airbus, and Dassault.
Certification with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is currently in the process. Beyond Aero submitted its Design Organization Approval in April 2024, and is currently defining a certification framework for hydrogen-powered aircraft.
“Working closely with EASA, we are shaping regulatory pathways that will enable the safe and efficient adoption of hydrogen propulsion in aviation.”
Founded in 2020 in Le Bourget, Beyond Aero has secured US$44 million in funding, as well as US$914 million in Letters of Intent for 108 aircraft.
