In July 2010, Bye Energy developed a proof-of-concept electrically powered Cessna 172 with support from
Cessna Aircraft. Bye Energy changed its name to
Beyond Aviation at the time that the prototype commenced taxi tests in July 2011. The aircraft first flew in 2012. The R&D project was not pursued for production and the company is currently dormant. The company developed the
Bye Aerospace Sun Flyer, a modified
PC-Aero Elektra One, as a
prototype electric aircraft in 2015. The development of the Sun Flyer 2 was originally carried out by a Bye Aerospace subsidiary, called the
Aero Electric Aircraft Corporation. By March 2016, Aero Electric Aircraft Corp. has delivered the prototype for final stages of development. It was rolled-out in May 2016. By July 2016, first flight was planned in the fall. By November 2016, ground and taxi tests had begun. It was first flown on 10 April 2018. The derivative
Sun Flyer 4 is a four-seat design, yet to be completed. Both aircraft are
low-wing designs, with
bubble canopies, made from
composite materials, predominately
carbon fibre. Both are powered by
lithium-ion batteries. 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. Also under development, in conjunction with the
XTI Aircraft Company, is the
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. On August 21, 2019, Bye announced the sale of 26 aircraft to
Los Angeles-based air taxi operator Quantum Air. After the project was revealed as under development in June 2020, 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 , a operating ceiling and a range of with 45-minute IFR reserves. It was announced in May 2021 that Oxis Energy had been placed into administration, with the majority of its employees made redundant. At
AirVenture in July 2021 George Bye of Bye Aerospace stated that the eFlyer 2 will be
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. == Aircraft ==