Bye Aerospace

In July 2010, Bye Energy developed a proof-of-concept electrically powered Cessna 172 with support from Cessna Aircraft.[3] Bye Energy changed its name to Beyond Aviation at the time that the prototype commenced taxi tests in July 2011.[4] The aircraft first flew in 2012.[5] The R&D project was not pursued for production and the company is currently dormant.[6][7]

The company developed the Bye Aerospace Sun Flyer, a modified PC-Aero Elektra One, as a prototype electric aircraft in 2015.[8][9][10]

The development of the Sun Flyer 2 was originally carried out by a Bye Aerospace subsidiary, called the Aero Electric Aircraft Corporation.[11][12] As of March 2018, it was being merged into the parent company.

Bye Aerospace Sun Flyer 2 prototype

By July 2015, the company was developing the Sun Flyer 2, a two-seat electric-powered aircraft for the flight training role.[11] By March 2016, Aero Electric Aircraft Corp. has delivered the prototype for final stages of development.[13] It was rolled-out in May 2016.[12] By July 2016, first flight was planned in the fall.[14] By November 2016, ground and taxi tests had begun.[15] It was first flown on 10 April 2018.[16] The derivative Sun Flyer 4 is a four-seat design, yet to be completed.[17] Both aircraft are low-wing designs, with bubble canopies, made from composite materials, predominately carbon fibre. Both are powered by lithium-ion batteries.[18]

The launch customer for both the Sun Flyer 2 and 4 is the Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology which will employ both for flight training.[14][17] By September 2018, the company had 130 deposits for the two-seat Sun Flyer 2 and 27 deposits for the larger, four-seat Sun Flyer 4.[18]

On July 31, 2018, Bye Aerospace flew a piloted prototype of its solar-powered unmanned StratoAirNet and manned Solesa from the Northern Colorado Regional Airport. Based on a carbon fiber composite competition sailplane, it has a 15 m (49.2 ft) wing span and thin-film photovoltaic cells from SolAero Technologies. The low-cost, long-endurance commercial and government surveillance aircraft could be used for patrol, mapping, precision agriculture or search-and-rescue and has low infrared and acoustic signatures.[19]

Also under development, in conjunction with the XTI Aircraft Company, is the TriFan 600, a hybrid-electric VTOL business aircraft. Previously, the company developed the Silent Falcon UAV for Silent Falcon UAS Technologies.[20]

In August 2019, the company announced that it was partnering with OXIS Energy to develop a Lithium–sulfur battery for use in the four-seat Sun Flyer 4.[21]

On August 21, 2019, Bye announced the sale of 26 aircraft to Los Angeles-based air taxi operator Quantum Air.[22][23]

After the project was revealed as under development in June 2020,[24] Bye Aerospace officially announced the eFlyer 800 in April 2021, to be powered by Safran electric motors. This is planned to be an all-electric six- to nine-seat aircraft to compete with traditional fossil-fuel powered executive aircraft for the air taxi, air freight, regional airliner and aircraft charter roles. The eFlyer 800 aims to have operating costs of 20% of the Beechcraft King Air with a cruise speed of up to 320 kn (593 km/h), a 35,000 ft (10,668 m) operating ceiling and a range of 500 nmi (930 km) with 45-minute IFR reserves.[25][26]

It was announced in May 2021 that Oxis Energy had been placed into administration, with the majority of its employees made redundant.[27]

At AirVenture in July 2021 George Bye of Bye Aerospace stated that the eFlyer 2 will be certified in late 2022 or early 2023, the eFlyer 4 certified in late 2023 or early 2024 and the eFlyer 800 certified in late 2025 or early 2026.[28]

Summary of aircraft built by Bye Aerospace:

• Bye Aerospace Sun Flyer - single example of a prototype
• Bye Aerospace eFlyer 2 - single example of an intended 2-seat training aircraft

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bye Aerospace.

• Official website