Blue Spirit Targets First Flight For Hydrogen Four-Seater Early 2026

LE BOURGET — Blue Spirit Aero performed taxiing tests with its light hydrogen-electric Dragonfly last week and is planning to fly with a second demonstrator in the first quarter of 2026.

The Toulouse-based startup is targeting its four-seater at those pilot training organizations wanting to decarbonize their fleet. Paris Air Show visitors can see the first prototype, which started ground trials at Le Mans Arnage Airport, here on the static display.

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"In addition to taxiing, we demonstrated the ease of refueling during a public demonstration," co-founder Eric Bidinger says. The Dragonfly features 12 propulsion pods distributed on the wings. Each includes a propeller, electric motor, fuel cell, and gaseous hydrogen tank. Keeping hydrogen outside the fuselage may make certification more straightforward, designers expect.

The first prototype has four functional engines. The other eight are dummy engines but are representative of the final form factor. "For the functional engines, we used off-the-shelf components, hence the large air intakes," Bidinger explains.

The flight-test campaign is planned to last between four to six months. It will be the opportunity to assess the supercapacitors that support swift power increases, offsetting the fuel cell's relative inertia, Bidinger says. The company promises a 125 kt. (144 mph) cruise speed, a 380-nm (437-mi.) range, and 820 lb. of payload.

About Blue Spirit Aero

Blue Spirit Aero is developing a hydrogen-powered light aircraft designed to deliver zero-emission flight. The Dragonfly is part of its broader mission to accelerate sustainable aviation through breakthrough design and engineering focused on training, certification, and scalability for global adoption.