Spartan Buys First 20 Electric Sun Flyers

The Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology has entered into an agreement with Aero Electric Aircraft Corp., reserving the first 20 production slots for the Sun Flyer solar-electric training aircraft.

"This agreement signifies our commitment to innovation and to serving the next generation of pilots," said Peter Harris, CEO of Spartan College based in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

AEAC started flying a single-seat technology demonstrator out of Centennial Airport (APA) near Denver in the fall and hopes to start flight testing the two-seat version this year. AEAC has not yet decided whether to certify the airplane under Part 23 or light sport rules. The airplane is being developed in partnership with Bye Aerospace and German PC Aero and the concept airplane first flew in Germany last July.

In addition to becoming the first customer, Spartan is working with Redbird to develop a complete training solution for the Sun Flyer.

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Pia Bergqvist joined FLYING in December 2010. A passionate aviator, Pia started flying in 1999 and quickly obtained her single- and multi-engine commercial, instrument and instructor ratings. After a decade of working in general aviation, Pia has accumulated almost 3,000 hours of flight time in nearly 40 different types of aircraft.

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