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BSA has premiered its Dragonfly prototype, completing the world’s first hydrogen refueling of a light aircraft directly from an airport station in Le Mans.
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Representing a major milestone for zero-emission aviation, start-up Blue Spirit Aero (BSA) has successfully unveiled its full-scale hydrogen fuel cell Dragonfly prototype, which is powered by Ballard. Revealed on June 10 in Le Mans, France the hydrogen-electric aircraft taxied to a nearby on-site refueling station (HRS) and completed the world’s first hydrogen refill of a light aircraft.
The Dragonfly is driven by 12 fuel cell engines that integrate Ballard’s proprietary technology which supports an operational range of 700km. The four-seater plane will commence regular test flights in 2026, with commercialization planned for the following year.
The 7.5-meter light aircraft is a significant step forward in the development of decarbonized light aviation, and has a wingspan of 13m, a climb rate of 800ft per minute, a service ceiling altitude of 10,000ft, and a cruise speed of 125kt.
[Footage courtesy of G-Hy TV]
The plane's 12 electric motors are stored in individual nacelles - streamlined containers that house the engine and related components - that integrate the electric motor, fuel cell and hydrogen tank. Each one is driven by a hydrogen fuel cell that integrates Ballard's FCgen®-LCS stack technology.
The stack is designed to deliver long-term performance and low total lifecycle cost through a combination of durable MEAs, reusable low-cost carbon plates, compact design, and optimized operating conditions. This innovative solution incorporates ports on both sides of the end plates for integration flexibility and provides stable electrical power, scalable from 2.5kW-93kW over a wide range of operating and environmental conditions - which supports the craft's 180kW total power output.
“This full-scale demonstration marks a founding step towards the commissioning of a new generation of hydrogen aircraft. We were able to validate in real conditions the reliability of our propulsion system, the robustness of the hydrogen refueling chain on the airfield and the overall integration of our technical innovations.”
Olivier Savin President & Founder, Blue Spirit Aero
With the HRS installed by project partner Atawey and powered by Lhyfe, the ground-breaking refueling event validated key operational elements including the refueling infrastructure, aircraft systems integration, and the fuel system itself.
BSA's Dragonfly is designed for light aviation and pilot training, and is part of a concerted push in the Toulouse region of France to lead Europe in zero-emission aerospace technologies. Backed by Dassault Systèmes’ virtual twin simulation, BSA is now accelerating the development of its hydrogen propulsion systems - with the targeted trials and 2027's planned commercial rollout aiming to make clean aviation a viable option for aviation operators and flight schools.