Plan To Have The Aircraft Flying In 2011

Bye Energy and Cessna Aircraft have been promoting their collaborative effort to develop an electric propulsion system for a Cessna 172 Skyhawk during the NBAA's annual meeting and convention in Atlanta.

Bye Energy is developing electric and electric-hybrid propulsion systems for light general aviation aircraft, announcing The Green Flight Project  earlier this year. The company is planning to fly an electric-powered Cessna 172 Skyhawk proof of concept in the first quarter 2011.

George Bye, CEO of Bye Energy, said process and development for first flight of the electric Cessna 172 are well underway. "This is an ambitious effort, but we are continuing to uncover additional efficiencies with electric-powered flight," he said. "We are grateful to Cessna for its continued collaboration and support."

Cessna Chairman, President and CEO Jack J. Pelton said: "Bye Energy's progress toward first flight of the electric Cessna 172 demonstrator is encouraging news for the future of mainstream general aviation."

FMI: www.cessna.com, www.byeenergy.com