Bye Aerospace Briefs US Air Force Chief on eFlyer Electric Training Aircraft at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026

USA – Bye Aerospace, a Colorado-based developer of electric training aircraft, hosted US Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026, briefing him on the eFlyer programme and demonstrating the company’s Battery Engine Assessment Truck (BEAST) propulsion test platform.

• Bye Aerospace states that the two-seat eFlyer 2 is forecast to reduce operating costs by up to 80% compared with legacy piston training aircraft. Its current published specifications include a 125 kW electric powerplant, more than two hours of mission endurance and a targeted recharge time of less than 30 minutes.
• During the Oshkosh visit, the Bye Aerospace discussed operating costs, cockpit and community noise and the absence of direct exhaust emissions from the electric propulsion system with Gen. Wilsbach.
• Gen. Wilsbach was also shown the BEAST, a mobile propulsion-system test platform used by Bye Aerospace during development of the eFlyer 2. The company’s June 2026 technical update described the rig as incorporating a support structure, articulating forward fuselage, motor and propeller assembly for extensive propulsion-system testing ahead of the aircraft’s flight-test programme.
• The BEAST has also supported development of the aircraft’s pilot interface, while testing has covered the electric motor, energy-storage architecture and propulsion-system integration. The eFlyer 2 supplier programme includes Safran Electrical & Power for the ENGINeUS 100B1 motor, magniX USA for electric energy storage, Garmin for G500 TXi avionics and Electro.Aero for charging and ground-support technology.
• Bye Aerospace said in its latest formal pre-AirVenture programme update that eFlyer 2 Serial Number 001 was entering final preparations for first flight after structural load, flight-control and ground testing. The aircraft is being developed toward FAA certification, with Bye describing it as the first applicant pursuing an all-electric training aircraft under 14 CFR Part 23 Amendment 64.
• Bye reported an orderbook exceeding 1,000 aircraft across the two-seat eFlyer 2 and four-seat eFlyer 4 in June 2026. Flight-training customers identified by the manufacturer include Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, Skyborne Academy, Flex Air Flight School and KLM Flight Academy.

Source: Bye Aerospace