Elfly Group has agreed to become the Scandinavian distributor for the all-electric Bristell B23 Energic light aircraft being jointly developed by BRM Aero and electric propulsion specialist H55. On December 16, Norway-based Elfly signed a memorandum of understanding covering a prospective order for three of the two-seaters, plus options for three more.

In April 2024, Czech general aviation manufacturer BRM Aero and Switzerland’s H55 announced plans to commercialize the electric version of the piston- or turboprop-powered BR23 aircraft that they had been working on since 2019. The original BR23 aircraft achieved initial EASA type certification under light sports aircraft rules in October 2020, and will now be upgraded to meet CS-23 standards.

This week’s announcement said that Elfly will receive the first of the production aircraft in 2026. BRM Aero and H55 have been flying a prototype of the B23 Energic for some time. The partners expect to achieve certification of the electric propulsion system in 2025, followed by type certification of the new version of the B23 in 2026.

In February, the partners intend to bring a test aircraft to Norway to conduct demonstrations to flight schools, which are under pressure to reduce aircraft noise. Elfly, which is separately developing its own electric-powered seaplane called the Noemi, believes the electric light aircraft will be especially well-received in the Nordic countries, where government policies are applying pressure to eliminate carbon from domestic flights.

The B23 Energic is expected to have a flight endurance of 60 minutes, plus a 10 minute reserve, powered by a 100-kilowatt electric motor developed by H55. It will have a payload of 190 kilograms (418 pounds) and Garmin G5 dual control avionics.

New Electric Option for Flight Training

Before announcing the Noemi project, Bergen-based Elfly had planned to be a distributor for Bye Aerospace's eFlyer2 electric trainers, and had placed a provisional order for 18 aircraft. However, six years after this program was launched, it remains unclear when it will achieve FAA Part 23 type certification.

According to Elfly founder and CEO Eric Lithun, BRM Aero is better placed to bring the B23 Energic to market since the original BR23 model has been certified for more than four years. The manufacturer currently produces around 120 of the light sports aircraft each year.

H55 is a spin-off from the Solar Impulse high-altitude solar-powered aircraft project. The company is engaged in several partnerships to develop electric propulsion systems for the aviation sector.

For the B23 Energic, H55 is developing an electric propulsion system consisting of a motor, battery packs and an energy management system. These will be combined with a Hélices three-bladed propeller. 

Elfly has had discussions with H55 about battery packs that could be used for the Noemi, which will require larger electric motors. It plans to make its engineers available to support the BR23 Energic as it is rolled out in the Nordic market and the two companies already share a test pilot.

Potentially, the BR23 Energic could also be used for personal transportation or short air taxi flights. Lithun told AIN, Elfly is already urging the Norwegian government to provide support for this type of application as part of efforts to decarbonize aviation in the country.

Norway already has established a test site for electric aircraft, and Elfly has been in talks with airport operator Avinor about how this could be put to best use. Similiar initiatives are underway in neighboring Sweden and the Danish government is also pushing to electrify aviation.

In June 2020, Pipistrel achieved EASA type certification for its Velis Electro two-seat trainer under light sports aircraft rules. The Slovenian company, which is now part of Textron Aviation, has since received an FAA exemption allowing the aircraft to be used in U.S. flight schools.

This story was updated on December 18 with further information about the BR23 Energic aircraft.