Bye Aerospace switches to Safran to power eFlyer

US-based Bye Aerospace, developer of the eFlyer family of all-electric aircraft, and Safran Electrical and Power, a world-leader in aircraft electrical systems, have signed a cooperation agreement to equip the eFlyer 2 and eFlyer 4 aircraft with the ENGINeUS electric smart motors. Bye was unable to reach a commercial agreement with Rolls-Royce, the supplier of the motor for proof-of-concept.

Bye Aerospace is FAA-certifying the two-seat, all-electric eFlyer 2 for flight training and the four-seat eFlyer 4 for air-taxi and advanced training uses.

All of Bye Aerospace’s aircraft feature engineering, research, and electric aircraft solutions, resulting in five-fold lower operating costs, no CO² emissions, and decreased noise. Bye Aerospace estimates the eFlyer will eliminate the release of millions of tonnes of CO² each year for flight training alone.

The ENGINeUS product line includes a broad range of electric motors with power outputs from single digit to 500kW. The high-performance engine that will equip eFlyer 2 and eFlyer 4, features a fully integrated motor controller within the machine.

The thermal management is provided by an optimised air-cooling system, jointly integrated by Safran and Bye Aerospace into the aircraft structure.

Optimal production solution
Mr Bye said: “Bye Aerospace has concluded that Safran’s ENGINeUS 100 smart electric motor is the optimal production solution to meet the requirements of our rigorous FAA and EASA certification schedules for eFlyer 2 and eFlyer 4.

“Our list of future eFlyer purchase agreements, currently at 711 units, continues to grow, and we must continue forward at a fast pace to meet the demands of aviation enthusiasts world-wide who have been waiting years for all-electric aircraft to come to market.”

Hervé Blanc, executive vice president and general manager of the power division at Safran Electrical and Power, said: “Safran is extremely proud to collaborate with Bye Aerospace, which has developed a strong vision for the future of electrical flights, from the eFlyer 2 and eFlyer 4 to the commuters and regional aircraft.

“This new contract demonstrates the success of our ENGINeUS product line and confirms the strong interest of the market in our approach to further increase the electric powertrain performance while simultaneously progressing the certification and production system readiness.”