The prototype Sun Flyer 2 two-seat electric-powered airplane has flown successfully for the first time, Bye Aerospace announced on Wednesday. “We are excited about the future and the potential the Sun Flyer family of aircraft has to revolutionize general aviation,” said CEO George Bye, in a news release. The Sun Flyer 2 flew on Tuesday from Centennial Airport, near Denver, Colorado. The testing will continue to explore the airplane’s speed, altitude and endurance capabilities, the company said.
The Sun Flyer has been in development since 2014. The company intends to certify it under the FAA’s recently revamped Part 23 rules, according to their website. As of March, the company had 105 deposits for the Sun Flyer 2 and 16 deposits for the four-seat Sun Flyer 4, according to its website. Bye said the Sun Flyer 2 will operate at a cost of about $3 per hour, and is significantly quieter than piston-powered aircraft of a similar size.
