{"id":12105,"date":"2019-04-22T14:02:55","date_gmt":"2019-04-22T21:02:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cafe.foundation\/blog\/?p=12105"},"modified":"2019-04-29T11:43:16","modified_gmt":"2019-04-29T18:43:16","slug":"e-eflyer-sales-near-300","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/cafe.foundation\/blog\/e-eflyer-sales-near-300\/","title":{"rendered":"Bye eFlyer Sales Near 300"},"content":{"rendered":"

Diane Simard, Director and Senior Vice President at Bye Aerospace, keeps your editor updated on happenings at the maker of what were SunFlyers, and which are now eFlyers.\u00a0 The rebranding makes sense. \u00a0\u00a0In their press release for the eFlight Expo in Friedrichshafen, Germany on April 11, the company included this explanation. \u00a0\u201cGeorge E. Bye, Founder and CEO of Bye Aerospace, said\u00a0e<\/em>Flyer more accurately represents the aircraft\u2019s high-tech all-electric propulsion system. \u2018We originally thought solar cells would be standard on the airplane\u2019s wings,\u2019 Bye said. \u2018However, with\u00a0e<\/em>Flyer\u2019s primary markets being flight training and air taxi services, it makes more sense to make the price of the airplane as reasonable as possible.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

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Siemens powered eFlyer departs runway on one of many flights as Bye Aerospace prepares for series production<\/p><\/div>\n

Bye Aerospace\u2019s primary market is growing, with orders for 60 eFlyers from OSM Aviation , a training resource for many of the world\u2019s airlines.\u00a0 This brings the total of eFlyers to almost 300, achieved despite some roadblocks.\u00a0 In an email to your editor, Bye explained, \u201cIn an April 11 email, George Bye confirmed the sales figures.\u00a0 \u201c\u00a0You\u2019re correct. Just under 300 total now. \u00a0The schedule for certification and deliveries is two years. \u00a0We had some delays with the government shutdown, and some certification organization with our team and our partners. \u00a0But everyone has pulled together nicely now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bye Aerospace explains, \u201cThe\u00a0eFlyer family of aircraft, including the 2-seat\u00a0eFlyer 2 and the 4-seat\u00a0eFlyer 4, aims to be the first FAA-certified, practical, all-electric airplanes to serve the flight training and general aviation markets. Siemens will provide electric propulsion systems for the\u00a0eFlyer 2 airplane\u2014the 57 lb.-SP70D motor with a 90kW peak rating (120 HP), and a continuous power setting of up to 70kW (94 HP).\u201d<\/p>\n

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SP70D motor by Siemens might become as commonplace on electric aircraft as Continentals and Lycomings are on conventional aircraft<\/p><\/div>\n

OSMAviation\u2019s CEO, Espen Heiby says, \u201cWe\u2019re proud to take the lead in the future of green aviation.\u00a0 This is the largest order for commercial electric planes to date.<\/p>\n

Noting the environmental impact of his firm\u2019s choice, he adds,\u201cIt\u2019s important that the airline industry steps up to the challenge of developing more environment- friendly transport. At OSM Aviation, we\u2019re committed to pursuing a socially responsible and sustainable business.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bj\u00f8rn Granviken, CEO of the OSM Aviation Academy, is enthusiastic about the opportunities offered by the new technology.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re training the next generation of pilots, and are determined to attract the best candidates. We offer a forward-looking education which they can be proud to take part in. This order for 60 all-electric aircraft is a key step in that respect.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Norwegian and Swedish organization is establishing training programs in America, where the eFlyer will compete with programs being created by Pipistrel with is Alpha Electro.\u00a0 Both craft offer zero emissions and low noise levels, a boon to airports and their neighborhoods.<\/p>\n

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Eric-Lithun-of-ELFLY (left), Norwegian partner to George-Bye (right). \u201cBye Aerospace has a strong team, and I think they will be the first to mass produce a certified FAR 23 and EASA 23 all-electric airplane,\u201d said Lithun, CEO of Elfly AS. \u201cThis is the game changer of aviation for small airplanes. The Bye Aerospace eFlyer will be the Tesla of the general aviation industry.\u201d<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cBye Aerospace has a strong team, and I think they will be the first to mass produce a certified FAR 23 and EASA 23 all-electric airplane,\u201d said Eric Lithun, CEO of Elfly AS. \u201cThis is the game changer of aviation for small airplanes. The Bye Aerospace\u00a0e<\/em>Flyer will be the Tesla of the general aviation industry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Others have been attracted to the two-seat trainer, including Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, Aero.Electro in Australia, and The Aero Touring Club de France (ATCF).\u00a0 \u00a0As the merits of these aircraft become more apparent to growing numbers of pilots, we may see a resurgence in flight training for the civilian market.<\/p>\n

Talk about enthusiastic! These two new customers do a great sales pitch for electric vehicles in general.<\/p>\n