EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH – Aero Electric Aircraft Corp. (AEAC) reports that assembly has begun on the two-seat prototype “Sun Flyer” solar-electric training aircraft.
The company has contracted with Arion Aircraft to help build the initial prototype trainer.
“After extensive analysis of the options available for this critical phase of the development process, we have selected a company that offers a flexible, high-quality process for the assembly of this first two-seat prototype,” said George Bye, CEO of AEAC. “Our current schedule has initial R&D flight test operations beginning before year-end.”
Arion Aircraft, based in Shelbyville, Tenn., produces the LS-1 Lightning line of aircraft.
AEAC is planning to offer the first certified U.S.-sponsored, all-electric airplane serving the aviation flight training markets. The company unveiled the single-seat technology demonstrator for its next-generation solar-electric training aircraft at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2014 and continues to perform initial R&D flight test operations with the single-seat technology demonstrator prototype while the two-seat prototype Sun Flyer is being assembled.
AEAC is also collaborating with Redbird Flight Simulations to offer a pilot training system. In addition, Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology has signed a Training Program Development and Deposit Agreement to reserve the first 20 slots for future deliveries of Sun Flyer airplanes to training schools.