Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Rear-facing propfans have replaced the earlier ducted fan engines in the updated design for Beyond Aero’s in-development hydrogen-electric business airplane. On Tuesday, the French start-up released new drawings when it announced the completion of the preliminary design review for the eight-seat model.
The other significant change to the design is an increase in maximum takeoff weight from 8.6 to 9.6 metric tons (21,164 pounds). This means that the BYA-1 will need to be certified under EASA’s CS-25 rules, as opposed to the CS-23 rules for twin-engined commuter aircraft weighing less than 19,000 pounds.
Beyond Aero did not explain the reasons for the design changes but said that it has now finalized the architecture that will combine hydrogen storage tanks, a fuel cell-based electric propulsion system, and thermal management. Its Toulouse-based team of 80 engineers has now started work on detailed design as they work towards a certification plan with the European regulator.
The tail-mounted pusher propfans will run on gaseous hydrogen, starting at 700 bar, in externally mounted tanks on top of the BYA-1’s wingtips. According to Beyond Aero, this configuration enables natural ventilation and will facilitate refueling processes at airports, “while avoiding the added complexity of cryogenic liquid storage for early entry into service.”
<figure role="group" class="caption caption-img">
<img alt="BYA-1 design " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="957eedcc-dbbf-4dd8-8362-18376c62778a" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/BYA_CADView2.jpg" width="3418" height="1711" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Propfans have replaced ducted fan engines in the revised design for Beyond Aero’s BYA-1 hydrogen-powered business jet.</figcaption>
</figure>

In January, Beyond Aero completed the first <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2026-01-19/beyond-aero-completes-first-wind-tunnel-campaign">wind tunnel tests</a> using a one-eighth-scale model at the German-Dutch Wing Tunnels Low-Speed Facility at Marknesse in the Netherlands. These tests validated previously announced design changes, such as increasing the fuel cell stack capacity to 2.4 megawatts.
Beyond Aero has previously flown a subscale prototype with an 85-kilowatt propulsion system, and it has demonstrated 1,200-kilowatt capacity in ground tests so far. In October 2025, it acquired some of the intellectual property of U.S. start-up Universal Hydrogen, which folded in 2024.
“The preliminary design review confirms that the aircraft configuration and its major systems—propulsion, hydrogen storage, aerodynamics, and avionics—have reached the level of maturity required to support a certifiable architecture,” commented Beyond Aero chief engineer Luiz Oliveira, who was formerly with Embraer. “With this milestone completed, the program moves on schedule into detailed design and verification of the aircraft’s integrated systems.”
Beyond Aero is working on the second phase of its application for design organization approval in a process it started in April 2024 and its head of certification, Walter Filho, was formerly with Airbus. In December, it released <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-12-09/beyond-aero-releases-plans-hydrogen-bizjet-factory">plans for a factory</a> where it intends to build the BYA-1, for which it says it holds letters of intent from prospective customers valued at more than $1 billion.
Carrying six passengers, <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-10-01/beyond-aero-achieves-trl6-hydrogen-propulsion-system">Beyond Aero</a> says that the BYA-1 will have a range of up to 800 nm with a cruise speed of 300 knots. The company is aiming to complete type certification and start deliveries before the end of 2030.
Program partners include fuel cell specialist FEV Aerospace, BrightLoop Converters, and Ekpo Fuel Cell Technologies, which has provided its NM20 energy conversion platform. It has also had some support for safety analysis and certification services from the Airbus Protect unit.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

New Engines and More Weight For Beyond Aero’s Hydrogen Business Airplane

Pusher propfans have replaced ducted fans in BYA-1’s preliminary design review 

Beyond Aero’s BYA-1 hydrogen business airplane will be certified under CS-25 rules after a maximum weight increase and changes to the rear-mounted engines.

Engines Change, Weight Increases for Hydrogen Business Airplane 

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charlotte Bailey

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

FAA supplemental type certificate joins existing Boeing BBJ cabin approval 

Comlux Receives U.S. Approval for ACJ TwoTwenty Cabin 

Hanneke Weitering

Valo prototype completes hover-to-cruise flight in key test

Vertical Achieves Piloted eVTOL Transition Flight

Amy Wilder

Leadership cites stewardship of member dollars, not cash need

AOPA To Sell 2013 Citation M2, No Plan To Replace It

Executive jets account for 29 of total deliveries

Embraer Q1 Deliveries Rise 47% Year over Year

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

The Ascend demonstrator is the first of the new type to cross the Atlantic 

Citation Ascend Starts European Demonstration Tour

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

In this article

More In Aircraft

Comlux Receives U.S. Approval for ACJ TwoTwenty Cabin

FAA supplemental type certificate joins existing Boeing BBJ cabin approval

Vertical Achieves Piloted eVTOL Transition Flight

Valo prototype completes hover-to-cruise flight in key test

AOPA To Sell 2013 Citation M2, No Plan To Replace It

Leadership cites stewardship of member dollars, not cash need

Embraer Q1 Deliveries Rise 47% Year over Year

Executive jets account for 29 of total deliveries

Citation Ascend Starts European Demonstration Tour

The Ascend demonstrator is the first of the new type to cross the Atlantic

NASA’s X-59 Flight-test Program Now Gaining Momentum

Aircraft is prepping for fifth flight test

Hagerty Jet Group: Preowned Gulfstreams Are Hard To Find

Few preowned Gulfstreams are available for sale and are selling quickly

People in Aviation—April 2026

C.R. Sincock became president of Avfuel, Helen Hollis U.S. managing director for Luxaviation One.

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN