Propulsion specialist H55 just wrapped up a cross-country tour of the U.S. with an all-electric Bristell B23 Energic two-seat trainer, the Swiss company announced on Tuesday. According to H55, the aircraft completed 192 passenger flights over the past four months, visiting 25 airports in eight states: Florida, Alabama, Arizona, Nevada, California, Colorado, Wisconsin, and New York.
During the “Across America” tour, H55’s team visited flight schools, aircraft owners, universities, the U.S. Air Force, and various other stakeholders to demonstrate the electric propulsion system it developed for the B23 Energic with passenger-carrying flights in mind.
“The smiles on their faces as they stepped out of the airplane said it all,” said H55 co-founder and executive chairman André Borschberg. “The advantages of electric aviation were immediately clear to every passenger—no noise, no vibration, no emissions, reduced maintenance, and minimal downtime—an unforgettable experience. Some pilots were so convinced, they placed orders on the spot.”
The Bristell B23 Energic aircraft is being developed by Czech manufacturer BRM Aero, which specializes in custom-built ultralight and light sport aircraft. BRM Aero produces several models of Bristell aircraft and has delivered more than 1,000 units in its 15 years of business.
EASA Certification Projected For 2026
H55 anticipates that its electric propulsion system will achieve type certification from EASA and the FAA in 2026 and 2027, respectively. So far, the all-electric B23 Energic has garnered about 100 orders, according to H55.
“Our U.S. tour proved two things beyond doubt: electric aviation, and especially the B23, delivers exactly what flight schools are looking for—and it already exceeds the expectations of many private and professional pilots,” Borschberg said.
According to H55, the all-electric B23 Energic produces a tenth of the noise intensity of a comparable piston aircraft. It also reduces operating costs, with the electricity used for taxi and run-up costing about $0.25 as opposed to $13 worth of fuel.
“In four and a half months, we completed 192 passenger flights without a single technical issue,” said H55 co-founder Gregory Blatt. “Not once did we have to cancel a flight. In fact, the tour allowed us to expand the flight envelope, operating in conditions we had never experienced before—from extreme heat to high-altitude airports—all without downtime.”
“This is a strong validation that our technology is not only ready, but also robust and reliable in real-world conditions,” Blatt added, “and it’s worth noting that such consistent availability is not always the case with comparable combustion-powered aircraft.”
The B23 is competing in the same flight school market as Pipistrel's Velis Electro trainer. Last year, the Textron subsidiary earned an FAA exemption under light sports aircraft rules to enter the U.S. market, having already achieved full EASA type certification in Europe.