The future of electric aircraft has many contenders in the training space, and the eFlyer 2 from Bye Aerospace was one of the first to debut, at least from a program standpoint. Getting to flight testing has been a longer journey for the Colorado-based company, but just this week, it managed to notch an important milestone on that path.
In fact, the first public debut of the proposed game-changer came in 2018, with flight testing of a concept aircraft with the same name, with propeller and propulsion system testing to follow. The design has undergone several iterations since, but has settled upon using the Safran ENGINeUS 100B1 motor, rated at 125 kw, or roughly 167 hp. The motor itself has passed EASA certification.
On September 9, the company announced it had passed the FAA inspections required to earn its special airworthiness certificate and begin flight testing out of its home base at Centennial Airport (KAPA) in Denver. The aircraft in question is a full-scale, nonconforming prototype that recently passed several airframe tests, including on the composite wing and flight controls. The target is Part 23 certification.
The company aims for a fast charging time of 30 minutes or less, and up to a two-hour endurance, making it suitable for training operations. Avionics include a Garmin G500 TXi on the flight deck.
Skyborne Airline Academy has a total of 40 aircraft on order, helping to push Bye’s order book for the eFlyer 2 and eFlyer 4 to 889 units at a valuation of roughly $570 million. Hopscotch Air was the first air-taxi operator to sign on, in 2024, for four aircraft, including one eFlyer 2 and three eFlyer 4 airplanes.
“… the eFlyer 2 from Bye Aerospace was one of the first to debut, at least from a program standpoint. Getting to flight testing has been a longer journey for the Colorado-based company…”
I’m still waiting for ‘ol Bye to provide my electric conversion setup for my 172 that he initially promised years ago (sic). And a 30 min recharge with a 2 hour useful endurance … more vaporware. What technology will George use … magic?
He will use modern batteries that can charge that quickly with a decent range. The batteries aren’t “vaporware”. I’ve no idea if he can carryout the manufacturing, marketing, and sales but the batteries exist now.
The other major issue is infrastructure- who ever buys these planes needs the appropriate charger to charge within 30 minutes. Without chargers at other airports, the plane is useful only for local flights (or a long layover using 120 VAC.20 amps). It is a problem that can be overcome if there is sufficient demand.
https://www.catl.com/en/news/6091.html
https://electrek.co/2026/09/14/byd-leading-solid-state-battery-race-first-ev-2027/
OR … they’ll recharge the batteries by flapping their jaws from time to time and turning a generator. SORRY! I believe the proof is in the pudding, not the written word. I’m a realist. When he pulls it off, I’ll congratulate him. More likely, he’ll fall by the wayside just like the rest of the crazy green eAirplane people. Pipistrel is THE best positioned manufacturer trying this idea and SO far, they haven’t been able to do what HE claims he can do so … that’s that.
why would he or anyone care about your 1970s flying brick? Given you have nothing good to say about people trying to finally get rid of these legacy sh*tboxes, your opinion doesn’t matter mate
This is a comment / opinion section, “Mate” … didn’t you know that?
When Bye Aerospace comes up with a viable product that sells well and beats out the ‘flying bricks,’ I’ll change my opinion and speak higher of him. As I said, he’s been flapping his jaws for too many years with nothing whatever to really show for it. Further, Piper just $%#@canned their electric contraption. They must have the same opinion — now — as I do. I worded my comment because the FIRST cockamamie idea he had was to electrify the 172. So where IS that product from MORE than a decade ago … no place. He’s a circus ‘barker.’ Maybe he OD’ed on carrot juice?
You know what they say about opinions … thank you for yours.
The 172 cannot be electrified because the drag is way too great for the efficient use of an electric plant. The eflyer has been designed from scratch with new composite material and a frontal profile about a quarter of the 172.
That shouldn’t be surprising.
It made a successful first flight last week after a couple months of bench testing and ground work. The fact that it is designed to look and operate similar to conventional low-wing trainers will make it transition simply into flight schools.
Stay positive, this should be a great innovation in a horribly antiquated but essential sector of our industry.
The progress of this aircraft was adversely delayed through covid and also because the entire FAA certification required rewriting by the pioneering applicant.
It has been a major challenge for George over this period so don’t think he’s had it easy.
Peace
L39Jet … you MAY want to do a little research and then get back to ‘ol George because he ORIGINALLY claimed that he was gonna make a package to electrify the C172. Then — suddenly — he’s gonna build his own airplane. I specifically went to one of his forums at Airventure MANY years ago and realized he was full of it AND himself. Obviously, he doesn’t know what YOU know (above). You must be a PhD?
Beyond that, LOT’s of electric airplanes have flown but they’re NOT practical. IMHO, Pipistrel is the Company with the most experience and capability and best positioned and all they’ve been able to come up with is a 20 minute ‘useful’ range w/ reserves. After YEARS of company’s claiming they’re gonna do this and that .. in the year 2026 there are no electric airplanes that can compete with gasolene powered airplanes … period! PERIOD !
FURTHER … with data centers now proliferating to the point of insanity throughout the US, where the hell is all the ‘juice’ to power all of this ‘eCrap’ gonna come from. eCars, eAirplanes, e(gobbling)data centers and who knows what’s next. The grid capability of the US has been decimated by tree-huggers that managed to shut down so many atomic power plants. Unlike China — who has a 5, 10, 25 and even 100 year plan, the US is sorely behind the times with electric power generation. There’s no coherent plan other than the tree huggers wanting eEverything to “save the planet.” Poop on ’em! THAT is the basis for MY position.
Peace, back
$570,000,000.00 / #889 units = $642,169.00 each before tax prep etc. What a deal…
Why would they want to go for Part 23 certification and not the new MOSAIC S-LSA certification under Part 22?
Because they don’t know what they’re doing. Bye pops up from time to time with teasers and promises and then disappears again. They must be looking for more investor money? This is pure you know what.
Or they simply started the process prior to MOSAIC being finalized.
With another hour’s worth of battery juice eventually, this actually looks good. Isn’t half a mil about what a C172 goes for these days? I just looked at a 1962 ad, a Piper Colt new, $5995.