FLYING Magazine
The FAA has awarded Bye Aerospace, a developer of all-electric aircraft, a Special Airworthiness Certificate for the eFlyer 2, the company’s flagship two-place airplane.
The FAA issues Special Airworthiness Certificates for aircraft with unique operations needs, such as research and development.
According to the Colorado-based company, the certification followed an inspection of the aircraft at Centennial Airport (KAPA) near Denver, where Bye Aerospace is completing flight preparations.
Company officials said the FAA meticulously studied the eFlyer 2’s airframe, electric propulsion system, instruments, and other functional systems to confirm the aircraft’s safety for operation. The project has been several years in the making.
Bye Aerospace is recognized as a global leader in electric aircraft development. The company is focused on creating sustainable aviation solutions for training and general aviation markets. The eFlyer series has been designed for low operating costs and less carbon emissions than aircraft powered by internal combustion engines while enhancing the flight training experience and safety.
“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,” Rod Zastrow, CEO of Bye Aerospace, said in a news release. “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 acquisition of the Special Airworthiness Certificate is a significant step toward first flight as it indicates the aircraft is airworthy and therefore authorized to begin flight testing.
The all-electric eFlyer 2 has been several months in development. Bye Aerospace completed the structural build of the aircraft in July, after several months of rigorous structural testing and propulsion system validation using a truck-mounted test rig called “The Beast.”
The information gathered during testing was used by engineers and technicians to fine tune final aircraft systems integration, improve electrical system validation, and streamline operational ground testing in preparation for the flight test program.
According to company officials, Bye Aerospace now focuses on final aircraft inspections, operational readiness activities, and preparing to launch a phased flight test program that will progressively expand the aircraft’s operating envelope.
“It’s been a multi-month process of studying the aircraft to understand the systems and its novelties, this included a lot of time in the simulator, working on both nominal and emergency procedures as well as working with the team,” said Chief Test Pilot Elliot Seguin. “Planning for a first flight is all about expectations. The more you can predetermine what you expect, the more you can notice when things are not going according to plan. The limitations and emergency procedures need to be sound and well-rehearsed but clear expectations let you know the problem is coming before it gets here.”
As this story was heading for publication the order book for Bye’s 2-seat eFlyer 2 and 4-seat eFlyer 4 stands at over 1,000 aircraft. The company notes the designs are popular with flight training operations including Skyborne Academy, Spartan College of Aeronautics & Technology, Flex Air Flight School, and KLM Academy.