Bye Aerospace reveals all-electric eFlyer 800

The Denver-based aircraft manufacturer revealed that performance estimates for the airplane will include up to 320 knot cruise speed, 35,000ft ceiling and 500NM range with 45-minute IFR reserves at normal cruise speed of 280 knots.

Safety features are planned to include two wing-mounted electric motors with dual redundant motor windings, quad-redundant battery packs and a full airplane parachute. Additional potential features announced include an emergency auto-landing system, terrain avoidance and routing for auto-landing, an option for supplemental power solar cells and in-wheel electric taxi.

According to the company, the aircraft will have only one fifth of the operating costs of traditional twin turboprops and will be geared for the air-taxi, air-cargo, regional and charter aircraft markets.

Coventry to host world's first airport for electric aircraft

“The eFlyer 800 is the first all-electric propulsion technology airplane that achieves twin turboprop performance and safety with no CO2 and extremely low operating costs,” said George E. Bye, CEO of Bye Aerospace. “This type of remarkable economy and performance is made possible by the electric propulsion and advanced battery cell technology that results in significantly higher energy densities.”