French start-up Beyond Aero based in Toulouse is on track to achieve significant milestones with its hydrogen-powered business jet, BYA-1. The updated configuration includes hydrogen storage in wing-tip and 'shoulder' tanks and a 2.4MW fuel cell system powering electric ducted fans. Yannick Schwartzenbart, head of programme industrialisation, anticipates no further design changes as they work towards completing the preliminary design review by end-2025. Beyond Aero is collaborating with top providers for various components and aims to freeze the design by early 2027. The company's pragmatic approach involves outsourcing key components to established partners. Despite the high costs, Beyond Aero has raised $44 million and is in the early stages of a Series B funding round seeking at least $100 million. The development also involves testing gaseous hydrogen pressurized at 700bar for quicker market entry. The company aims to achieve an 800nm range and 360kt cruise speed with the BYA-1. While the project requires substantial funding, Beyond Aero sees the CS-23 category as ideal for its goals and hopes to demonstrate the technology's success before expanding to larger aircraft in the future.