FAA Issues Special Airworthiness Certificate to Bye Aerospace for eFlyer 2 Electric Trainer
Why It MattersThe certification milestone marks a step toward commercial electric-trainer viability, a segment where flight schools have already placed over 1,000 combined orders.
Bye Aerospace has received a special airworthiness certificate from the FAA for its eFlyer 2 electric training aircraft, clearing the way for an upcoming first flight. The certificate, issued under the experimental category, allows flight testing before the aircraft qualifies for a standard airworthiness certificate.
The FAA inspection took place at Centennial Airport (KAPA) near Denver and covered the eFlyer 2's airframe, electric propulsion system, instruments, and other functional systems. The test aircraft's airframe was completed in July, with materials from Toray Composite Materials America, the empennage built by Flying S, and the rest of the airframe built by Composite Approach.
The eFlyer 2 will be powered by Safran Electrical & Power's EngineUs 100B1 electric motor, paired with a Sensenich propeller and MagniX USA battery modules, with propulsion testing conducted on a truck-mounted test rig. Engineers have since carried out final systems integration, electrical validation, and ground testing ahead of the flight test program.
Bye Aerospace CEO Rod Zastrow said the milestone reflects the company's work with the FAA since 2016 to advance the certification framework for electric aircraft. Once first flight is achieved, the company plans to expand the eFlyer 2's operating envelope through a structured flight test program. Bye Aerospace holds more than 1,000 combined orders for the two-seat eFlyer 2 and four-seat eFlyer 4, with buyers including Spartan College of Aeronautics & Technology, Skyborne Academy, Flex Air Flight School, and KLM Academy.
