The Paris Air Show, held at Le Bourget Airport on 17-23 June 2019, saw the launch of an all-electric, zero-emission aircraft from Eviation.
Alice is the culmination of four years of design and collaboration with an ecosystem of partners that spans France, Italy, Singapore, Germany, South Korea, Australia, the USA and Israel. Almadesign was involved throughout the interior design, from concept design to the development and prototyping of solutions for several components. Other partners include Honeywell (flight-by-wire systems), Siemens (EPUs), Hartzell (propellers), magniX (EPUs) and Magnaghi Aeronautica (LG). AeroTEC will lead Alice’s flight tests and first flight in Moses Lake, Washington, and serve as a partner for certification.
Alice is intended as a regional aircraft with a range of 650 miles at a 240-knot cruise speed. To comply with FAA FAR 23 for commuter and on-demand operations, the aircraft seats nine passengers and two crew.
The aircraft is 12.2m (40ft) long, with a 16.12m (52.9ft) wingspan, and a MTOW of 6,350kg (13,999lb). It has a service ceiling of 30,000ft and a 10,000ft cruise altitude. As well as producing zero emissions, the aircraft is designed to be very quiet. It has an all-composite structure.
To meet existing and pre-sale purchase orders, Eviation plans to complete its first flights and begin manufacturing in the USA in 2019, and, in conjunction with commercial customers and the FAA, bring certified fleets to market in 2022.
“Capable of flying with nine passengers at 240 knots and a range of up to 650 miles, we are thrilled to introduce Alice to the aviation world at the aviation industry’s largest gathering,” said Omer Bar-Yohay, CEO at Eviation. “Operating at a fraction of the costs of conventional jet liners, our Alice will redefine how people travel regionally and usher in a new era of flying that is quieter, cleaner and cost-effective. On behalf of the world-class group of suppliers within Alice’s anatomy, we are humbled to recognise this debut as more than an unveiling – a historic milestone within the aviation industry. With the introduction of Alice, we welcome an all-new breed of aircraft for the first time in 50 years and it is only the beginning of a bright future for electric aviation and sustainable transportation.”
Photos: Jean-Marie Liot/Eviation
