The eFlyer 2, an all-electric flight training aircraft being developed by Bye Aerospace, had its first flight just a few days after the company received a special airworthiness certificate from the FAA.
Flown by Chief Test Pilot Elliot Seguin, the eFlyer 2 completed its planned flight test from Centennial Airport (KAPA) near Denver, Colorado. The flight enabled the company to perform an initial evaluation of the aircraft’s handling qualities, aerodynamic characteristics, and system performance, while collecting data to support the next phase of flight testing, according to Bye Aerospace officials.
“First flights are always significant moments for any new aircraft program. This team has worked hard and they will remember this achievement for a long time,” said Seguin. “The eFlyer 2 handled well during the flight and validated the work the engineering team has put into designing and testing the aircraft over the past several years. It’s exciting to help advance a platform designed specifically for the future of pilot training.”
“The first flight of the eFlyer 2 exceeded all of our expectations in terms of aerodynamics, handling, propulsion and overall performance — and there were no maintenance discrepancies during the flight,” said Rod Zastrow, CEO of Bye Aerospace. “This program is an important step in demonstrating that electric aircraft can deliver disruptive operational cost advantages while maintaining the performance, safety, and handling qualities required for real world training environments.”
The first flight signifies the launch of the aircraft’s flight test program and advances Bye Aerospace toward FAA certification and customer deliveries, company officials added.
The order book for the two-seat eFlyer 2 and four-seat eFlyer 4 stands at over 1,000 aircraft.
For more information: ByeAerospace.com
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