French, Toulouse-based start-up, Beyond Aero, announced its first successful flight of a hydrogen aircraft named Blériot, in honour of the first aviator to successfully cross the English Channel. The flight took place in Gap (Hautes-Alpes in Southeastern France).

For the occasion, Beyond Aero has retrofitted an ultra-light aircraft based on the G1 SPYL-XL. The start-up integrated its hybrid-hydrogen propulsion system, which was unveiled at the last Paris Air Show. The aircraft was able to fly two-thirds of the time on gaseous hydrogen (1.2 kg contained in three tanks at a pressure of 340 bar), generating an electrical power of 85 kW, while the remaining third was powered by batteries. Blériot made 10 take-offs and two complete flights, at an altitude of 2,300 feet and a speed of 110 km/h.

According to co-founder, Eloa Guillotin, “It’s a big milestone for the company but only the beginning for the New Aero industry.” The aim is to bring closer France’s pioneering spirit in aviation and the modern American mindset, to open up a new chapter and to move towards electric aircraft.

Following this flight, which took place at the Gap-Tallard airfield, Beyond Aero expressed its gratitude to its partners, namely G1 Aviation, H2 Motronics, AF Micado and Faster Group. The company joins the exclusive club of those who have successfully flown an electric aircraft around the world. This campaign aimed to validate the architecture of the propulsion system. The goal now is to develop a hydrogen-powered jet in less than 10 years.

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Article written by Laurent Meillaud and translated by Mariem Ben Tili