Beyond Aero’s Hydrogen-Electric Aircraft Program Heads to Wind Tunnel

Testing represents one of the final stages in the company’s preliminary design phase, which it expects to complete soon.

Jack Daleo

Monday, January 19, 2026 at 12:02 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

A one-eighth scale model of Beyond Aero’s hydrogen-electric BYA-1 concept completes wind tunnel testing in the Netherlands. [Credit: Beyond Aero]

Key Takeaways:

French company Beyond Aero is developing the BYA-1, touted as the first hydrogen-electric light business jet, aiming for a 2030 launch.
They recently completed successful wind tunnel tests on a one-eighth scale prototype, validating the aerodynamic performance of its unique external hydrogen tank configuration.
The BYA-1's design positions 700-bar gaseous hydrogen tanks externally for improved crashworthiness and cabin space, offering a predicted range of 800 nm.
Beyond Aero is advancing towards EASA certification, having achieved TRL6 for its propulsion system and actively working to establish new certification standards for hydrogen aircraft.

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A French company developing what it bills as the first hydrogen-electric light business jet is starting to put its unique architecture through experimental testing.

Beyond Aero—developer of the BYA-1, which it aims to introduce around 2030—on Monday revealed that it completed an inaugural wind tunnel test campaign using a one-eighth scale prototype. The company told FLYING it is nearing the final stage of its preliminary design phase, during which it will freeze the design. After that, it will begin formal certification efforts with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).