Bye Aerospace completes first flight of all-electric eFlyer 2 trainer
Bye Aerospace successfully completed the first flight of its all-electric eFlyer 2 aircraft, designed specifically for the flight training market.
On September 24, 2026, Bye Aerospace said its eFlyer 2 took off from Centennial Airport (APA) near Denver, Colorado, flown by Chief Test Pilot Elliot Seguin.
During the test flight, Bye Aerospace conducted 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.
“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,” Seguin said. “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.”
According to Bye Aerospace, the eFlyer 2 has a safety-focused design incorporating an advanced electric propulsion system and a lightweight composite airframe.
The company said that the aircraft can reduce operating costs by up to 80% while eliminating in-flight emissions.
The flight signifies the launch of the aircraft’s flight test program as it progresses towards Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification and eventually customer deliveries.
“The first flight of 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,” Rod Zastrow, CEO of Bye Aerospace, said. “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.”
He added that the flight represents a “milestone” for the future of electric aviation by helping “reduce the oftentimes prohibitive costs of flight training”.
The company said that the eFlyer 2 enables customers such as flight schools to “break free from high and uncertain fossil fuel prices, and crippling engine overhaul backlogs”.
Bye Aerospace’s partners and customers
Bye Aerospace’s partners include Safran Electrical and Power, magniX, Siemens, Toray, Composite Approach, Garmin, Sensenich Propeller, Electro.Aero, Flying S, M4 Engineering, ACME Aero, and Risse Racing.
Earlier this month, the FAA awarded Bye with a Special Airworthiness Certificate for eFlyer 2.
Bye Aerospace’s orderbook for the two-seat eFlyer 2 and four-seat eFlyer 4 stands at over 1,000 aircraft.
Buyers include Spartan College of Aeronautics & Technology, Skyborne Academy, Flex Air Flight School, and KLM Academy (NL).
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Bye Aerospace successfully completed the first flight of its all-electric eFlyer 2 aircraft, designed specifically for the flight…
The post Bye Aerospace completes first flight of all-electric eFlyer 2 trainer appeared first on AeroTime.
