Unveiled earlier this year, Bye Aerospace’s eFlyer 800 is set to bring a new dimension to the twin-turboprop market, leaning upon years of vision-focused engineering. Boasting two wing-mounted, all-electric Safran power plants (in-development) rated from 50kW to 500kW/1MW, the eight-seat, single-pilot twin aircraft will introduce a new era of cabin-class aviation. One of the key-value aspects of the aircraft is its projected operating costs, calculated to be one-fifth of traditional gas-dependent options.
Whenever a new aircraft, especially one that relies heavily upon newer technologies, is introduced, skeptics can be quick to discount its viability within a competition-heavy, highly regulated industry. Many have criticized the potential for aircraft powered in part or full by electricity. But it seems that the winds have recently shifted in favor of the possibility as there are increasingly more entrants in the hybrid or full-electric future of aviation (see “An Electric Future” Twin & Turbine, February 2021).
Bye Aerospace is based in Englewood, Colorado, led by its namesake founder George Bye. Bye has been referred to as “The Father of Today’s Electric Aviation Industry.” He has long been an active proponent of the aviation industry, with two decades of experience as an engineer, entrepreneur and executive who conceives, designs and develops all-electric manned and drone aircraft. Bye strives to innovate and pioneer new approaches and technologies that create extraordinary performance and value to the market.
Much of his efforts have been under the Bye Aerospace name, and since its founding, the company has been entirely focused on the electric future of aviation. One of its first undertakings was converting a Cessna 172 to electric propulsion. This and other projects led the team to focus on designing aircraft that rely entirely upon this source of energy, which has been an extremely promising journey thus far.
Over the years, the Bye Aerospace team has crafted a portfolio that includes the eFlyer 2 – a two-seat aircraft designed specifically for the primary flight training market, and the eFlyer 4 – an attractive alternative for legacy piston options in the space. Collectively, Bye Aerospace’s eFlyer models have received nearly 800 deposits from interested customers with demand continuing to remain strong as production begins to ramp up. The eFlyer 2 is currently set to enter service in 2023, followed by the eFlyer 4 one year later. After that, the company’s third aircraft, a six-seater designated the eFlyer X, is also expected to be certified by the FAA and shift from customer dreams to hangar realities. Like the eFlyer 4, this lightly pressurized aircraft will be powered by a single 200 kW (270 HP) all-electric powerplant.
While these three aircraft span the range in terms of size and performance of existing single-engine piston options, the next logical progression was integrating the company’s propulsion know-how into an aircraft purpose-built with increased endurance, speed and passenger capacity. So, with successes from previous designs, prototype production, and subsequent flight testing, the company designed its highly anticipated eight-place option.
According to Bye Aerospace, the performance estimates for the eFlyer 800 include a 320-knot cruise speed, 35,000-foot ceiling, and 500 nm range with 45-minute IFR reserves at normal cruise speed of 280 knots. Safety features include two wing-mounted electric motors, each with dual redundant motor windings, quad-redundant battery packs and a full airplane parachute. Additional potential features include an emergency auto-landing system, intelligent algorithm ensuring envelope protection, terrain avoidance and routing for emergency auto-land, and an option for supplemental power solar cells and in-wheel electric taxi. The airplane’s configuration can seat up to seven passengers and one or two pilots.
Demand for the eFlyer 800 spans air taxi, air cargo, and regional and charter aircraft markets. Bye noted that there is significant interest in the aircraft thus far, which has already positively translated to customers competing in the charter space like Jet It and JetClub, which “have a commitment to electric, clean aircraft, and this foresight vision is a testament to their management team and their future as a company.”
In the second quarter of 2021, the companies jointly announced a signed purchase agreement with Bye Aerospace for a fleet of eFlyer 800’s. While specificities related to the order (including quantities and anticipated delivery dates) have not been disclosed, George Bye notes that these sister companies’ large quantity order is only a highlight of being an ideal launch customer for the aircraft.
Other companies have also recently announced their formal interest in and commitment to the eFlyer 800. Among these are Skye Aviation, an aircraft leasing company headquartered in Denver, Colorado, and Rheinland Air Service GmbH, a leading European provider of aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO).
Skye Aviation is the first all-electric aircraft leasing company in the world and has completed purchase deposits for 15 eFlyer 800 aircraft. According to the company, “Skye fully supports sustainable, safe aviation leasing solutions for our customers while at the same time slashing eCTOL (electric conventional takeoff and landing) operating costs, aircraft noise, maintenance and supply requirements efforts. We embrace innovation that offers our customers far less capital-intensive solutions for training, passenger, air cargo, private, business, and military operations. In this sense, we all win.”
Rheinland Air Service is another firm looking to win by embracing the potential of all-electric aviation. Based near Düsseldorf, Germany, the company announced a three-pronged partnership with Bye Aerospace. One part being the future acquisition of five eFlyer 800’s, and another being the MRO representative for the aircraft in Central Europe with its service and support facilities in western Germany. Additionally, the company will be a designated reseller of eFlyer 800 aircraft in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
In addition, Bye Aerospace sees ample opportunity in the owner-operator vertical. Bye noted, “There is a great opportunity for owner-pilots with the eFlyer 800’s impressive performance, range, and speed.” Overall, the modern aircraft will be both technologically advanced and comfortable with a designed 65-inch wide cabin width.
Entry into service is expected in 2025, with more details to come later, most notably the avionics (the company recently announced Garmin 500 TXi avionics for the eFlyer 2), the propellers, interior layout and in-flight connectivity options. Bye assured the company’s commitment towards incorporating only solutions and products that a majority of aviators are comfortable with and trust.
For more information, visit byeaerospace.com.