Eviation Alice

Two variants of the Alice were originally planned.[2] The initial, unpressurized model is intended for air taxi operations, with energy stored in a lithium-ion battery. Eviation was working on building a prototype scheduled to fly in early 2019.[2] In 2017, a second pressurized model was to be an extended-range ER executive aircraft available by 2023 for $2.9 million, with a more powerful aluminum-air battery with a lithium-polymer buffer, a cabin pressurized to 1,200 m (4,000 ft) at FL 280, G5000 avionics, a 444 km/h (240 kn) cruise and 1,367 km (738 nmi) range.[2] In October 2019, Eviation described only the pressurized Alice Commuter with a 260 kn (480 km/h) cruise speed.[3]

With 260 Wh/kg cells, the 900 kWh battery capacity (3,460 kg, 7,630 lb) is initially estimated to give the design a range of 540–650 nmi (1,000–1,200 km) at 240 knots and 10,000 ft (3,048 m).[4] This is anticipated to increase as battery technology improves.[4] The batteries have been tested to more than 1,000 cycles, equivalent to 3,000 flight hours, and will then require replacement at a cost of $250,000 - half of the direct operating cost, similar to a piston engine overhaul.[4] Based on U.S. industrial electricity prices, the direct operating cost with nine passengers and two crew, flying at 240 kn (440 km/h), is claimed to be $200 per hour, which compares to $600–1,000 per hour for existing aircraft of similar purchase price such as the Cessna 402s, Pilatus PC-12 and Beechcraft King Air, for operations on routes under 500 nmi (930 km).[4][5] 45% of air routes fall within its 565 nmi (1,050 km) range at 260 kn (482 km/h), or 55% of airline flights according to Flightglobal's Cirium data.[6]

The electric drivetrain will have a higher voltage than current electrical systems.[4] Three 260 kW (350 hp) motors drive two pusher propellers mounted on the wingtips, located in the vortices to improve efficiency, and a third mounted in the tail.[4] The unpressurized aircraft has a flat lower fuselage.[4] The Italian company Magnaghi Aeronautica supplies landing gear and has already produced the gear for the similarly sized Piaggio P.180 Avanti.[4] It will be built with existing technology, including a composite airframe, propulsion from three Siemens electric engines and Honeywell flight control systems, including automatic landing.[7] At 3,700kg (8,200lb), the batteries account for 60% of the aircraft take-off weight.[8] Manufacturing is planned in the US.[9]

The company plans for recharging to be carried out by mobile charging vehicles, similar to aviation fuel trucks. Each hour of flight time is expected to require a charging time of 30 minutes.[7][10] The cell are similar to those from auto industry batteries.[1]

Eviation was founded in 2015 by Omer Bar-Yohay, Omri Regev and Aviv Tzidon.[11] Risk-sharing partnerships have enabled work to go ahead.[4]

In February 2018, a 650 lb (290 kg) scale model UAV was flown to validate the aerodynamics and flight controls.[4] Kokam was selected to supply pouch lithium polymer batteries to power the full-scale prototype.[4] Work on the power system and drive train was begun.[4][12] Eviation teamed up with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) to launch a research and development program in the spring of 2019 at ERAU’s Prescott, Arizona campus.[7] The program would focus on performance analysis, validation and testing, along with preliminary design and sub-scale testing of future electric propulsion and airframe design concepts.[7]

By early 2019, Eviation had secured $200 million of investment to cover certification and production while the first prototype was assembled in Vannes, northwest France.[5] In April 2019, Eviation selected MagniX Magni250s 375 shp (280 kW) electric motors turning at 1,900 rpm as an alternative power option to Siemens 260 kW motors.[6]

At the June Paris Air Show, a full-size static Alice was exhibited.[9] The first airline customer was announced: Hyannis, Massachusetts-based Cape Air.[8] Cape Air ordered 92 aircraft, priced at $4 million each.[13] MagniX investor Clermont Group from Singapore took a 70% stake in Eviation Aircraft in August 2019.[14] By October 2019, over 150 Alice aircraft had been ordered by two American companies.[15] Further investment of $500 million was still needed to begin serial production.[15]

On 22 January 2020, a fire broke out and the prototype was destroyed.[16][17] No one was injured.[18] The fire broke out in an under-floor battery compartment located in the “operator/passenger area”.[19] On 18 May 2020, GKN Aerospace announced their partnership with Eviation on the design and manufacture of the wing, empennage and electrical wiring interconnection system of subsequent Alice airframes.[20] By December 2020, Eviation expected to fly a modified Alice design in 2021, with the wing-tip motors relocated, before certification in the second half of 2023.[1]

Data from Eviation[21]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Capacity: 9 passengers, maximum payload of 1,134 kg (2,500 lb)
• Length: 13.2 m (43.3 ft)
• Wingspan: 16.12 m (52 ft 11 in)
• Height: 4.2 m (13.8 ft)
• Max takeoff weight: 6,350 kg (14,000 lb)
• Fuel capacity: 920 kWh, 3,600 kg Li-ion
• Powerplant: 3 × electric motors total 260–900 kW (350–1,210 hp) cruise/peak

Performance

• Cruise speed: 444 km/h (276 mph, 240 kn)
• Range: 1,000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) +45min IFR reserve
• Service ceiling: 3,800 m (12,500 ft)

• Zunum Aero

• Official website