Skyborne Airline Academy, headquartered at Gloucestershire airport, has become the first UK pilot training school to place an order for Bye Aerospace's all-electric aircraft. Producing zero CO2 emissions and using clean, renewable energy, six eFlyer 2 and four eFlyer 4 planes will be added to Skyborne's fleet. Bye Aerospace estimates the eFlyer will eliminate five million metric tons of CO2 generated every year during airline pilot training worldwide.

Skyborne CEO Lee Woodward says: “We are radically redefining every aspect of airline pilot training and that includes incorporating all-electric aircraft into our fleet as we invest in the latest technology for our trainees and staff. The eFlyers are great for the environment, economical to operate and have the right blend of avionic technology and handling characteristics required to train our future airline pilots.

“A significant reduction in global carbon emissions is the goal for most socially responsible organisations in our industry, and with the help of Bye Aerospace we aim to lead the way in the UK. It's vital for the next generation that we invest in measures to make flying more sustainable. Electric is the future of aviation.”

George E. Bye, founder and CEO of Bye Aerospace adds: “Skyborne is a pioneer of electric aviation in the UK and has been particularly resilient in its approach to flight training during the pandemic. its ability to recognise and prepare for the benefits of electric aviation, while adjusting to the challenges presented by coronavirus, has been impressive.”

Bye Aerospace's eFlyer 2 aims to be the first all-electric training airplane to achieve Part 23 airworthiness certification from the FAA. The critical design review for the eFlyer 2 was achieved on 5 June, with the next phase of the flight test programme currently underway. The first two-seater eFlyer aircraft are expected to join the Skyborne fleet in autumn 2022, with the four-seater model following in 2023.