FLYING Magazine
As Bye Aerospace prepares for the first flight of its two-seat eFlyer 2 all-electric trainer, the Denver-based company is introducing the global partners supporting the development of its FAA-certified aircraft.
“Our partners supporting the eFlyer 2 program represent some of the most respected names across the aviation industry,” said Rod Zastrow, CEO of Bye Aerospace, in a news release. “Their involvement reflects the low-risk approach and technical progress of the program, as well as the growing confidence in electric aviation. As we approach the first flight, this milestone represents years of focused development and close collaboration with partners who have helped turn eFlyer2 from a concept into a flight-ready aircraft.”
- READ MORE: Skyborne Signs for 30 Bye eFlyers
- READ MORE: Bye Aerospace Clears Development Milestone
According to Bye Aerospace, the company’s supplier ecosystem reflects the multidisciplinary technologies required to bring a certified electric aviation platform to market. These suppliers include:
Safran Electrical & Power: Supplies the ENGINeUS 100B1 electric motor for the eFlyer 2 program. This EASA-certified electric propulsion system is designed to deliver reliable, high-performance electric power while supporting the aircraft’s low-noise operation, energy efficiency, and reduced emissions profile.
MagniX USA: Provides the aircraft’s electric energy storage system, including advanced battery modules, redundant power distribution, and charging technologies. The system is designed to support the eFlyer 2’s high-energy density and extended all-electric flight duration capabilities.
Siemens Digital Industries Software: Supplies the digital engineering tools used to design and develop the eFlyer 2, including software for aircraft design, structural analysis, simulation, and program management.
Toray Composite Materials America: Provides advanced composite materials used throughout the aircraft structure. These lightweight, high-strength materials reduce aircraft weight while supporting durability and structural performance.
Composite Approach: Selected to complete fabrication and assembly of the eFlyer 2 full-scale prototype aircraft (serial number 001), supporting development and integration activities ahead of the flight-test program.
Garmin: Provides the Garmin G500 TXi avionics suite for the aircraft, including touchscreen flight display and navigation capabilities designed to simplify cockpit management and support pilot situational awareness.
Sensenich Propellers: Bringing decades of expertise in advanced propeller design and manufacturing, supplies the propeller for the eFlyer 2.
Risse Racing: Provides precision-machined components for the eFlyer2, including the nose landing gear and motor mounts, for the aircraft’s ground handling and structural reliability.
Flying S: Selected to complete composite fabrication of eFlyer2’s tail assembly, contributing precision manufacturing expertise to support the structural integrity and performance of the aircraft’s empennage.
M4 Engineering: Completed composite fabrication of eFlyer2’s doors, applying advanced manufacturing capabilities to deliver lightweight, high-quality components that meet the program’s structural and certification requirements.
First Flight
Bye Aerospace said it is entering the final stages of preparation for the first flight of eFlyer 2. The aircraft has been undergoing rigorous testing, including structural load testing of the wing, fuselage, and flight controls, as well as limit load testing, and low- and high-speed ground testing at various angles of attack as part of critical preflight checks.
According to the company, its orderbook for the two-seat eFlyer 2 and four-seat eFlyer 4 stands at over 1,000 aircraft.
Flight Schools Show Interest
According to a Bye Aerospace spokesperson, based on annual Boeing, CAE, and Airbus commercial pilot forecasts, the company has determined the market requires far more new training aircraft than legacy Part 23 and light sport aircraft OEMs are presently providing to the market.
Premier flight training schools like Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, Skyborne Airline Academy, Flex Air Flight School, and KLM Flight Academy have placed orders for eFlyer aircraft.
In addition, there are growing markets for air taxi and personal travel in this class of aircraft.
Bye Aerospace said one of the eFlyer deposit holders and supporters of the project noted that a “key reason we want the eFlyer is because we can simply substitute it into our air taxi operations.”
There will be some adaptation required, as with electric vehicles, in that owners/operators will need to ensure that they can charge their planes between flights. However, the eFlyer battery capacity is similar to current production EVs, such as those with 80-100 kWh capacities, and would use similar charging amounts and basically the same chargers.
There is a leading aviation charger company that offers a retractable charger, allowing flight schools to charge two aircraft at a time and up to about 100 feet from a hangar or fence line. This would avoid having to dig trenches for cables through flight lines.
Bye Aerospace projects the sale price of an eFlyer 2 at $745,000.
The eFlyer is significantly less expensive to operate than legacy aircraft. It is estimated at $35 per flight hour with a lower noise signature and simpler engine than gas-powered trainers on the market.