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'{{Short description|American aircraft manufacturer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}} {{Use American English|date=March 2018}} {{Infobox company | name = Bye Aerospace | logo = File:Bye Aerospace logo.png | caption = | type = [[Privately held company]] | traded_as = | fate = | predecessor = | successor = | foundation = <!-- {{Start date|YYYY|MM|DD}} --> | founder = George E. Bye | defunct = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} --> | hq_location = | hq_location_city = Unincorporated [[Arapahoe County, Colorado]] | hq_location_country = [[United States]] | area_served = | key_people = CEO: George E. Bye | industry = [[Aerospace]] | products = [[Electric aircraft]] | services = | revenue = | operating_income = | net_income = | assets = | equity = | owner = | num_employees = | parent = | divisions = | subsid = Aero Electric Aircraft Corporation | homepage = {{URL|www.byeaerospace.com}} | footnotes = | intl = }} '''Bye Aerospace''' is an American [[aircraft manufacturer]] based in unincorporated [[Arapahoe County, Colorado]]. The company specializes in the design and manufacture of [[electric aircraft]], including [[unmanned aircraft]] for geospatial role and [[light aircraft]] for the [[flight training]] role.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.byeaerospace.com/contact/|title=Contact|author=Bye Aerospace|website=byeaerospace.com|accessdate=21 March 2018}}</ref> The company was founded by George E. Bye, who remains the [[CEO]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.byeaerospace.com/about/|title=About|author=Bye Aerospace|website=byeaerospace.com|accessdate=21 March 2018}}</ref> ==History== In July 2010, Bye Energy developed a proof-of-concept electrically powered Cessna 172 with support from [[Cessna Aircraft]].<ref name="AvWeb18Oct10">{{Cite news|url=http://www.avweb.com/news/nbaa/NBAA2010_Electric172MayFlyEarlyNextYear_203463-1.html|title=Electric 172 May Fly Early Next Year|last=Grady|first=Mary|date=October 2010|work=AVweb|accessdate=21 March 2018}}</ref> Bye Energy changed its name to ''Beyond Aviation'' at the time that the prototype commenced taxi tests in July 2011.<ref name="AVweb28Jul11">{{Cite news|url=http://www.avweb.com/news/airventure/EAAAirVenture2011_ElectricCessna172StartsTaxiTests_205083-1.html|title=Electric Cessna 172 Starts Taxi Tests|last=Grady|first=Mary|date=July 2011|work=AVweb|accessdate=21 March 2018}}</ref> The aircraft first flew in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://evworld.com/news.cfm?newsid=28964|title=Electric Cessna Makes Multiple Flights on Lithium Batteries|work=evworld.com|date=19 Oct 2012|access-date=21 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161120075857/http://evworld.com/news.cfm?newsid=28964|archive-date=20 November 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The R&D project was not pursued for production and the company is currently dormant.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.beyond-aviation.com/|title=Beyond Aviation Archive Project|website=www.beyond-aviation.com|accessdate=21 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Koonce |first1=Michael |title=Stangerone-Bye Interview |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yjq8ixM0oEw |website=YouTube |publisher=Aero-News Network |accessdate=2 June 2020}}</ref> The company developed the [[Bye Aerospace Sun Flyer]], a modified [[PC-Aero Elektra One]], as a [[prototype]] electric aircraft in 2015.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://aviationweek.com/bca/questions-george-bye |title= Questions for George Bye |work= Aviation Week Network |date= Apr 1, 2015 |author= William Garvey}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.aviationpros.com/article/12083153/aeacs-sun-flyer-aims-to-be-the-next-generation-flight-training-aircraft |title= AEAC's Sun Flyer Aims to Be The Next Generation Flight Training Aircraft |work= AviationPros |date= Jul 16, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Sun-Flyer-Prototype-On-Assembly-Line-224471-1.html|title=Sun Flyer Prototype On Assembly Line|work=AVweb|author=Elaine Kauh|date= July 20, 2015}}</ref> The development of the Sun Flyer 2 was originally carried out by a Bye Aerospace subsidiary, called the ''Aero Electric Aircraft Corporation''.<ref name=AvWeb23Jul2015/><ref name=AvWeb11May2016/> As of March 2018, it was being merged into the parent company. [[File:Sun-Flyer-Prototype-mountains.jpg|thumb|[[Bye Aerospace Sun Flyer 2]] prototype]] By July 2015, the company was developing the [[Bye Aerospace Sun Flyer 2|Sun Flyer 2]], a two-seat electric-powered aircraft for the flight training role.<ref name=AvWeb23Jul2015>{{cite web|url=http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Sun-Flyer-Promises-Three-Hour-Flight-Time-224539-1.html|title=Sun Flyer Promises Three-Hour Flight Time|work=AvWeb|date=July 23, 2015}}</ref> By March 2016, Aero Electric Aircraft Corp. has delivered the prototype for final stages of development.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Sun-Flyer-Prototype-Readying-For-Final-Tests-225789-1.html|title=Sun Flyer Prototype Readying For Final Tests|work=avweb.com|author= Elaine Kauh |date= March 4, 2016}}</ref> It was rolled-out in May 2016.<ref name=AvWeb11May2016>{{cite web|url=http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Sun-Flyer-Proof-Of-Concept-Model-Rolls-Out-226225-1.html|title=Sun Flyer Proof-Of-Concept Model Rolls Out|work=AvWeb|date=May 11, 2016}}</ref> By July 2016, first flight was planned in the fall.<ref name=AIN26jul2017>{{cite web|url=https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2017-07-26/electric-sun-flyer-plans-fall-first-flight|title=Electric Sun Flyer Plans Fall First Flight|first=Mark|last=Huber|date=July 26, 2017|publisher=AIN Online}}</ref> By November 2016, ground and taxi tests had begun.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Sun-Flyer-Begins-Ground-Taxi-Tests-228049-1.html|title = Sun Flyer Begins Ground, Taxi Tests|last = Kauh|first = Elaine|work=AVweb|date = 17 November 2016}}</ref> It was first flown on 10 April 2018.<ref name="Grady11Apr18">{{cite web|url = https://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/First-Flight-For-Sun-Flyer-2226128168226128168-230637-1.html |title = First Flight For Sun Flyer 2|last=Grady|first = Mary|work = AVweb|date = 11 April 2018}}</ref> The derivative [[Bye Aerospace Sun Flyer 4|Sun Flyer 4]] is a four-seat design, yet to be completed.<ref name=AOPA24jul2017>{{cite web|url=https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2017/july/24/four-seat-sun-flyer-in-the-works|title=Four-Seat Sun Flyer in the Works|date=July 24, 2017|first=Alyssa J.|last=Cobb|publisher=AOPA}}</ref> Both aircraft are [[low-wing]] designs, with [[bubble canopy|bubble canopies]], made from [[composite material]]s, predominately [[carbon fibre]]. Both are powered by [[lithium-ion]] batteries.<ref name="Projects">{{cite web|url=https://www.byeaerospace.com/projects/|title=Projects|publisher=Bye Aerospace|access-date=21 March 2018|archive-date=25 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170925042455/https://www.byeaerospace.com/projects/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The launch customer for both the Sun Flyer 2 and 4 is the [[Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology]] which will employ both for flight training.<ref name=AIN26jul2017/><ref name=AOPA24jul2017/> By September 2018, the company had 130 deposits for the two-seat Sun Flyer 2 and 27 deposits for the larger, four-seat Sun Flyer 4.<ref name="Projects"/> On July 31, 2018, Bye Aerospace flew a piloted prototype of its solar-powered unmanned [[Bye Aerospace StratoAirNet|StratoAirNet]] and manned [[Bye Aerospace Solesa|Solesa]] from the [[Northern Colorado Regional Airport]].<!--<ref name=AvWeek27aug2018>--> Based on a [[carbon fiber composite]] competition [[sailplane]], it has a {{convert|15|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} wing span and [[thin-film photovoltaic cell]]s from [[SolAero Technologies]].<!--<ref name=AvWeek27aug2018>--> The low-cost, long-endurance commercial and government [[surveillance aircraft]] could be used for [[patrol aircraft|patrol]], [[Cartography|mapping]], [[precision agriculture]] or [[search-and-rescue]] and has low infrared and acoustic [[Signature management|signature]]s.<ref name=AvWeek27aug2018>{{cite news |url= http://aviationweek.com/future-aerospace/week-technology-sept-3-7-2018 |title= The Week In Technology, Sept. 3-7, 2018 |date= Aug 27, 2018 |author= Graham Warwick |work= Aviation Week & Space Technology}}</ref> Also under development, in conjunction with the [[XTI Aircraft Company]], is the [[XTI TriFan 600|TriFan 600]], a hybrid-electric VTOL business aircraft. Previously, the company developed the Silent Falcon UAV for [[Silent Falcon UAS Technologies]]. In August 2019, the company announced that it was partnering with [[OXIS Energy]] to develop a [[Lithium–sulfur battery]] for use in the four-seat Sun Flyer 4.<ref name="Oconnor08Aug19">{{cite web|url = https://www.avweb.com/recent-updates/business-military/bye-looks-to-lithium-sulfur-for-electric-aircraft-power/|title = Bye Looks To Lithium-Sulfur For Electric Aircraft Power|access-date = 10 August 2019|last = O'Connor|first = Kate|work = AVweb|date = 8 August 2019|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20190810185942/https://www.avweb.com/recent-updates/business-military/bye-looks-to-lithium-sulfur-for-electric-aircraft-power/|archivedate = 10 August 2019}}</ref> On August 21, 2019, Bye announced the sale of 26 aircraft to [[Los Angeles]]-based air taxi operator Quantum Air.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://byeaerospace.com/quantum-signs-for-26-electric-airplanes-from-bye-aerospace/|title=Quantum Signs for 26 Electric Airplanes from Bye Aerospace|last=Lincoln|first=Alexis|date=2019-08-21|website=Bye Aerospace|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2019/august/22/quantum-air-to-buy-24-bye-aerospace-eflyers|title=Air taxi disruptor buys Bye's electric airplanes|date=2019-08-22|website=www.aopa.org|access-date=2019-08-25}}</ref> After the project was revealed as under development in June 2020,<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/business-aviation/bye-aerospace-to-expand-eflyer-family-with-six-to-nine-seat-model/138705.article |title= Bye Aerospace to expand eFlyer family with six-to-nine-seat model |last= Sarsfield |first=Kate |date= 5 June 2020 |work= Flightglobal}}</ref> Bye Aerospace officially announced the [[eFlyer 800]] in April 2021, to be powered by [[Safran]] electric motors. This is planned to be an all-electric six- to nine-seat aircraft to compete with traditional fossil-fuel powered [[executive aircraft]] for the air taxi, air freight, regional airliner and aircraft charter roles. The eFlyer 800 aims to have operating costs of 20% of the [[Beechcraft King Air]] with a cruise speed of up to {{convert|320|kn|km/h|0|abbr=on}}, a {{convert|35000|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} operating ceiling and a range of {{convert|500|nmi|km|abbr=on}} with 45-minute IFR reserves.<ref>{{Cite news|date=April 21, 2021|title=Electric Aviation Trailblazer Bye Aims To Dethrone The King Air|work=Forbes|last=Bogaisky|first=Jeremy|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeremybogaisky/2021/04/21/bye-eflyer-king-air-oxis-electric-turboprop/|access-date=April 22, 2021}}</ref><ref name="Oconnor22Apr21">{{cite web|url= https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/bye-aerospace-introduces-eight-seat-eflyer/|title= Bye Aerospace Introduces Eight-Seat eFlyer|access-date= 23 April 2021|last= O'Connor|first= Kate|work= AVweb|date= 22 April 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210423121044/https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/bye-aerospace-introduces-eight-seat-eflyer/|archive-date= 23 April 2021|url-status= live}}</ref> It was announced in May 2021 that Oxis Energy had been placed into administration with the majority of its employees made redundant.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.electrive.com/2021/05/21/oxis-energy-is-facing-bankruptcy/|title=Oxis Energy is facing bankruptcy|date=21 May 2021|website=electrive.com}}</ref> At [[AirVenture]] in July 2021 George Bye of Bye Aerospace stated that the eFlyer 2 will be [[type certificate|certified]] in late 2022 or early 2023, the eFlyer 4 certified in late 2023 or early 2024 and the eFlyer 800 certified in late 2025 or early 2026.<ref name="Phelps30Jul21">{{cite web|url= https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/bye-aerospace-lays-out-its-aggressive-aircraft-development-agenda/|title= Bye Aerospace Lays Out Its Aggressive Aircraft Development Agenda|access-date= 15 July 2021|last= Phelps|first= Mark|work= AVweb|date= 30 July 2021|archive-url= https://archive.today/20210731123109/https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/bye-aerospace-lays-out-its-aggressive-aircraft-development-agenda/?MailingID=676&utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Diamond+s+New+DA50+RG+Debuts+At+Oshkosh,+NAFI+Announces+Change+In+Leadership&utm_campaign=Diamond+s+New+DA50+RG+Debuts+At+Oshkosh,+NAFI+Announces+Change+In+Leadership+-+SATURDAY,+July+31,+2021|archive-date= 31 July 2021|url-status= live}}</ref> == Aircraft == Summary of aircraft built by Bye Aerospace: *[[Bye Aerospace Sun Flyer]] - single example of a prototype *[[Bye Aerospace eFlyer 2]] - single example of an intended 2-seat training aircraft ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== {{Commons category}} *{{Official website|https://www.byeaerospace.com}} {{Bye Aerospace aircraft}} [[Category:Aircraft manufacturers of the United States]] [[Category:Electric aircraft]] [[Category:Manufacturing companies based in Colorado]] [[Category:Privately held companies based in Colorado]]'