Bye Aerospace

Electric airplane developer recovering from financial woes

Bye has already received FAA approval for 15 of the 16 system-specific certification plans (SSCPs) for the full means of compliance certification, and it expects the last one to be approved by the end of July.

The size of Fuyo's investment in the U.S. company has not been revealed, but the deal will result in the Tokyo-based group holding a stake in Bye Aerospace.

Bye Aerospace claims to have seen market enthusiasm over its recently announced twin-motor eFlyer 800 electric business/utility aircraft, which is pitched as an alternative to Textron's King Air twin turboprop.

The Dutch flight training school intends to take 14 of Bye Aerospace's eFlyer 2 and eFlyer 4 electric aircraft.

Skye Aviation has committed to ordering 15 of Bye Aerospace's new nine-seat eFlyer 800 electric fixed-wing aircraft, which is expected to enter service in 2025.

Announcement of fractional ownership affiliates of Jet It and JetClub as launch customers follows the unveiling of the eFlyer 800 in April.

The electronic-warfare specialist intends to convert the new all-electric aircraft for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations.

Bye Aerospace says its eFlyer 800 will carry up to nine people on flights of up to 500 nm, powered by a pair of new Safran electric motors.

Parachute developer Aviation Safety Resources used barrels of water to simulate the eFlyer's weight in drop tests from a helicopter.