French start-up Beyond Aero has reached a milestone in the development of its hydrogen-electric business jet. In autumn 2025, a wind tunnel test campaign carried out at the German-Dutch Wind Tunnels validated the overall aerodynamics of the aircraft, as well as a key technological choice: the integration of gaseous hydrogen tanks positioned outside the fuselage. This is a decisive milestone for a programme that aims to make business aviation more fuel-efficient, without sacrificing performance.
Wind tunnel tests with high strategic value
For five weeks, Beyond Aero conducted an in-depth aerodynamic test campaign at the German-Dutch Wind Tunnels (DNW) facility in Marknesse, the Netherlands. The aim was not just to confirm performance under nominal conditions. The engineers deliberately explored complex configurations, including different flap and control surface settings, as well as degraded flight conditions such as high angles of attack, skidding and deep stall. These tests enable us to anticipate the aircraft’s behaviour in less favourable situations, an essential prerequisite for a future business jet to be certified and operated intensively.
The focus of this campaign was the integration of the hydrogen gas tanks, positioned outside the fuselage. This design choice, still rare in business aviation, is presented by Beyond Aero as a compromise in favour of safety. By keeping the hydrogen volumes away from the cabin and critical systems, the architecture aims to reduce the risks in the event of a leak or incident. The purpose of the wind tunnel tests was therefore to check that these external tanks did not cause excessive penalties in terms of drag, stability or control. The results obtained confirm the compatibility of this architecture with the performance targets, and consolidate a choice that will shape the rest of the programme.
Hydrogen-electricity matures
The One programme, also known as BYA-1 in its recent incarnations, is positioned in the very light jet segment. The aircraft is designed to seat six to eight passengers, with a range of up to 800 nautical miles, or around 1,500 kilometres. This range, which is unusual for an electrically propelled aircraft, is based on the use of hydrogen-powered fuel cells, coupled with an all-electric propulsion system. Beyond Aero’s ambition is to become the first manufacturer to put a hydrogen-powered electric business jet into service, with a targeted entry into service by 2030. The company is also highlighting its commercial interest in the form of letters of intent for more than a hundred aircraft.
On the technological front, Beyond Aero has also reached an important milestone with the full-scale testing of its hydrogen-electric propulsion system. In 2025, the company announced that it had reached a TRL 6 level of maturity, corresponding to tests in a representative environment. The cumulative power achieved on the bench is close to 1,200kW, a level consistent with the needs of a light business jet. To support these developments, Beyond Aero has set up a laboratory dedicated to hydrogen-electric power chains, enabling them to test tanks, batteries, electrical systems and refuelling scenarios. This integrated approach aims to reduce technical risks before moving on to the final design phases.
A decisive stage in the European programme
The choice of the German-Dutch Wind Tunnels is not insignificant and places Beyond Aero within a recognised European institutional framework. The DNW Foundation operates some of the most advanced wind tunnels in Europe, which have been used for decades on major civil and military aeronautical programmes. The BYA-1 project is part of a wider context of European research into hydrogen aviation. Work carried out as part of Clean Aviation or projects dedicated to the EASA CS-23 category are highlighting challenges similar to those addressed by Beyond Aero: tank integration, thermal management, electrical distribution and impact on the airframe in particular.
The wind tunnel test campaign at Marknesse marks an important transition for Beyond Aero. Moving from an innovative concept to a technically supported programme capable of dialogue with the certification authorities and industrial partners. Validation of the overall aerodynamics secures the design choices that will shape the rest of the development process. Hydrogen-electric is no longer just a field for academic experimentation, but a serious industrial avenue for reducing the environmental footprint of light air transport. With the One programme, Beyond Aero intends to establish itself as one of the European players to watch in this strategic field.
Sources : Beyond Aero
