Bye Aerospace’s Electric eFlyer 2 Training Plane Receives FAA Special Airworthiness Certificate
The milestone was achieved as Bye progresses toward the first flight of its eFlyer 2 all-electric training aircraft.
(Denver, Colorado) Bye Aerospace announced today (Sept. 9) that the Federal Aviation Administration has awarded its eFlyer 2 flagship, 2-seater all-electric training aircraft with a Special Airworthiness Certificate.
Image of Bye Aerospace CEO Rod Zastrow holding the newly awarded FAA Special Airworthiness Certificate for eFlyer 2, Serial No 001., courtesy of Bye Aerospace.
The certificate represents a critical milestone for Bye as the company progresses toward the eFlyer 2’s first flight, according to today’s press release from Bye.
Per Bye, receipt of the Special Airworthiness Certificate confirms that the aircraft is airworthy and authorized to begin flight testing. After months of ground testing, the Bye team is now focused on final aircraft inspections, operational readiness activities and preparing to launch a phased flight test program that will expand the aircraft’s operating envelope; Bye is aiming to complete the eFlyer 2’s first flight before the end of this year.
Bye’s eFlyer2 costs 80% less to operate vs. traditional vehicles, recharges in less than 30 minutes and produces zero emissions, according to the company.
The inspection during which the FAA awarded the certificate occurred at the Centennial Airport near Denver, where Bye is completing flight preparations.
Rendering of Bye Aerospace’s eFlyer 2 flagship, 2-seater all-eletric training aircraft, which today received Special Airworthiness Certification from the FAA, courtesy of Bye Aerospace.
According to Bye, its team completed the structural build of the eFlyer 2 in July, following several months of structural testing and propulsion system validation using a truck mounted test rig called “The Beast.”
“Every major milestone in an aircraft program is earned, and this one is the result of intense effort and dedication from a talented team that is passionate about what we do," said Rod Zastrow, CEO of Bye Aerospace. "We’ve worked hand in hand with the FAA since 2016 to help advance the certification framework for electric aircraft. In just a year, we’ve built and tested this game-changing all-electric aircraft, and receiving the Special Airworthiness Certificate is an important validation of that work. We look forward to beginning flight testing and continuing our progress toward certification."
Bye’s orderbook for the 2-seat eFlyer 2 and 4-seat eFlyer 4 stands at over 1,100 aircraft, with orders coming from premier flight training schools like Spartan College of Aeronautics & Technology, Skyborne Academy, Flex Air Flight School, and KLM Academy (NL), according to Bye.
