Bye Aerospace has signed letters of intent with four pilot training providers for a total of 340 eFlyer all-electric trainers.

The Denver-based company is currently working on another larger fleet order, founder George Bye told The Weekly of Business Aviation. Bye declined to name the training companies.

Deliveries will depend on where a customer falls in line and also on the delivery sequency agreement. Deliveries are expected to begin in the next two-to-four years, Bye says.

“We are thrilled to witness such a remarkable level of interest of key players in the aviation training sector,” says Tom Calgaard, Bye Aerospace senior vice president. “This overwhelming response affirms the industry’s need for cost-effective, sustainable, efficient and forward-thinking training solutions. Our eFlyer not only aligns with these requirements but also sets new benchmarks for excellence in electric aviation.”

In September, the FAA accepted Bye Aerospace’s “Functional Hazard Analysis,” for the two-seat electric eFlyer 2.

“This FAA milestone substantiates our eFlyer design, providing unwavering support for our market and business case,” says Rod Zastrow, Bye Aerospace president. “The result is a clean, capable, electric aircraft with a remarkable 80% reduction in operating costs as compared to conventional aircraft. Bye Aerospace and eFlyer 2 are poised to revolutionize aviation pilot training economics.”

In January, Bye Aerospace received FAA approval for the means of compliance for Part 23 certification for the eFlyer 2 trainer, a first for an all-electric light aircraft. Approval of the G-2 issue paper cleared the company to enter the certification testing phase. It applied for FAA Part 23 certification in April 2018 and secured approval of its G-1 certification basis in August 2020. Bye Aerospace downsized in mid-2022 to focus its financial resources on completing approval of the means of compliance.

“The FAA has affirmed that the type design complies with the U.S. type certification basis and that the aircraft is safe for the required certification category,” Bye Aerospace says.

Contributing: Graham Warwick