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French aerospace startup Beyond Aero has just completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) of its hydrogen-electric business jet, the BYA-I One, a significant step that moves the aircraft firmly into detailed design and verification and one step closer to its target commercial entry in 2030. Founded in Toulouse in December 2020, Beyond Aero first unveiled the BYA-I concept at the Paris Air Show in June 2023. Since then, the aircraft has evolved considerably, and the PDR marks the most mature version yet.

The review confirmed the full integration of hydrogen storage, electric propulsion, thermal management, fuel cell systems, and safety architecture into what the company describes as a certifiable design. The propulsion setup is the heart of the story. The BYA-I One uses a twin pusher-configured propfan system, a shift from the earlier ducted-fan arrangement, powered by six 400kW hydrogen fuel cells delivering a combined 2.4MW of power, with a total propeller shaft output of 950kW.

Designer: Beyond Aero

Gaseous hydrogen is stored at 700 bar in externally mounted tanks above the wing structure, with a refueling time of just 30 minutes. The aircraft emits only water vapor in flight, making it one of the cleanest propulsion concepts in business aviation today. A custom-designed Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system ensures precise performance across all flight phases and will be certified under a TC Engine framework.

On performance, the numbers are compelling. The BYA-I One is designed to carry up to eight passengers over a range of 800 nautical miles at 300 knots, covering more than 80% of current European business aviation routes. It has a maximum speed of 414 mph, a ceiling of 26,000 feet, and a takeoff ground roll of just 725 meters, short enough to serve constrained airports like London City, and can operate from grass, snow, and unpaved surfaces.

Inside, the cabin stretches 1.84 meters wide and 1.7 meters tall, wider than most light jets, with a six-seat club configuration. Elliptical windows are 27% larger than those found in conventional business jets, flooding the interior with natural light. With 90% fewer moving parts and no high-temperature turbine, maintenance costs are projected to drop by up to 60%, and overall operational costs could fall by 40–60% compared to conventional jets.

Market appetite is already strong, with Beyond Aero securing $914 million in Letters of Intent across 108 aircraft, and a waiting list for booking deposits is now open. The certification path runs through EASA, where Beyond Aero is actively collaborating to develop special conditions for hydrogen-electric aircraft, essentially helping write the rulebook for an entirely new category of flight. If the 2030 timeline holds, the BYA-I One won’t just be another business jet. It’ll be the first of its kind.

The post This Hydrogen Business Jet Emits Nothing But Water and Could Change Private Aviation Forever first appeared on Yanko Design.

Philippe Starck is renowned for his ingenuity when it comes to enriching lives with unique creations. The acclaimed French designer and architect has proved time and again what comes to the fore when unwavering focus and brilliance are fused. In the latest venture with HRS (leading European manufacturer of hydrogen stations), Starck has created one of the most striking hydrogen refueling stations you would come across.

Dubbed HRS by Starck, the prototype of the refueling station is currently on show at the COP28 climate summit at Expo City Dubai. Being a part of the Green Zone hub (dedicated to decarbonization and energy transition) the creation leverages HRS’s high-capacity refueling prowess and Philippe’s innovation to make possible such a resourceful collaboration.

Designer: Philippe Starck

Amplifying the core idea of clean fuel transition, the fuelling station takes an almost invisible form, just like Hydrogen which is inherently a colorless, clean gas. The fuelling station is made out of polished reflective steel material, as Philippe envisioned it in his mind to have the essence of disappearance. From the very beginning, Starck was crystal clear about the form of the HRS by Starck hydrogen refueling station. This smart-looking device mimics the character of disappearance, dissolving from the viewers’ eyesight, only to reflect the surroundings.

From a distance, the onlookers can only make the distinction when viewing the sunset orange hue from inside the dispenser column on one side. Interestingly, as the viewer has a closer look and peeks inside the rig, it’s almost empty. Obviously, Starck wasn’t going to stop at this, so he added optical effects known as dichroism. For this, the dispenser is fitted with a dichroic-treated glass panel. That is, the refueling rig changes color even though is completely colorless.

The designer wants to dematerialize the design of the refueling rig, thereby making it unobstructed and shifting attention toward the transparent nature of the clean gas. Coming on to the practical aspect of HRS by Starck, the design is modular and scalable. It can dispense hydrogen for vehicles including cars, HGVs, buses, trains, construction machinery and even boats. The dispenser comes with two pressure settings – 350 bar and 700 bar for multi-vehicle compatibility.

The refueling dispenser is all set to be operational by 2024 if the project doesn’t hit any speedbumps. Truly, this design revolving around “elegant and intelligent energy” is all set to serve the future.