Bye Aerospace has completed a milestone as it progresses toward the first flight of eFlyer 2, the company’s flagship two-seat all-electric training aircraft.
The FAA recently awarded the company a Special Airworthiness Certificate for eFlyer 2. The inspection occurred at the Centennial Airport near Denver, where Bye is completing flight preparations. The FAA reviewed eFlyer 2’s airframe, electric propulsion system, instruments, and other functional systems to confirm the aircraft’s safety for operation.
“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.”
The company 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,” according to officials.
Since then, engineers and technicians have been conducting final aircraft systems integration, further electrical system validation, and operational ground testing before beginning the flight test program.
Receipt of the Special Airworthiness Certificate represents a significant step toward first flight, confirming the aircraft is airworthy and authorized to begin flight testing, company officials explained. With months of ground testing complete, Bye Aerospace is now focused on final aircraft inspections, operational readiness activities, and preparing to launch a flight test program that will progressively expand the aircraft’s operating envelope.
Bye’s order book for the two-seat eFlyer 2 and four-seat eFlyer 4 stands at over 1,000 aircraft, company officials report.
For more information: ByeAerospace.com
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