Wikipedia

Eviation Alice

TheEviation Aliceis anelectric aircraftdesigned to accommodate nine passengers and two crew members. First developed inIsrael,[3]its construction incorporates 95%composite material,is powered by twoelectric motors,and has aT-tail.The prototype first flew on 27 September 2022.[4]

Alice
2024 configuration with constant cross-section tubular fuselage, large winglets, higher propeller pylons, and a larger central energy storage compartment above the wing
Role Electric aircraft
National origin Israel
Manufacturer Eviation Aircraft
First flight 27 September 2022[1]
Introduction Planned 2027[2]
Status Under development

Development

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The prototype at the June 2019Paris Air Showfeatured a single pusher propeller and twin wingtip motors, aV-tail,and ataildraggerlanding gear

Eviation was founded in 2015 by Omer Bar-Yohay, Omri Regev and Aviv Tzidon.[5]Risk-sharing partnerships have enabled work to go ahead.[6]

In February 2018, a 650 lb (290 kg) scale modelUAVwas flown to validate the aerodynamics andflight controls.[6]Kokamwas selected to supply pouchlithium polymer batteriesto power the full-scale prototype.[6]Work on the power system and drive train was begun.[6][7]

Eviation teamed up withEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical Universityto launch a research and development program in the spring of 2019 at itsPrescott, Arizona campus.[8]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.[8]

By early 2019, Eviation had secured $200 million of investment to cover certification and production while the first prototype was assembled inVannes,northwest France.[9]In April 2019, Eviation selectedMagniXMagni250s 375 shp (280 kW) electric motors turning at 1,900 rpm as an alternative power option toSiemens260 kW motors.[10]

At the June 2019Paris Air Show,a full-size static Alice was exhibited.[11]

The first airline customer was announced:Hyannis, Massachusetts-basedCape Air.[12]Cape Air ordered 92 aircraft, priced at $4 million each.[13]MagniX investorClermont Groupfrom 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]Many orders are backed by firm but refundable down payments.[16]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,[17][18]but no-one was injured.[19]The fire broke out in an under-floor battery compartment located in the "operator/passenger area".[20]

On 18 May 2020,GKN Aerospaceannounced their partnership with Eviation on the design and manufacture of the wing,empennageandelectrical wiring interconnection systemof subsequent Alice airframes.[21]

2021 redesign

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The configuration unveiled in July 2021 features twin aft-mounted motors, aT-tailand a tricycle landing gear.

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.[22]

In July 2021, Eviation unveiled the updated configuration with aT-tailand two 850 hp (634 kW) Magni650 electric powerplants on each side of the aft fuselage, aiming for a first flight the same year.[23] It should cruise at 220 kn (407 km/h, down from 240 kn), have 440 nmi range, 100 nmi (185 km) less than previously, be powered by an 820 kWh lithium-ion battery weighing 3,720 kg (8,200 lb), down from a 920 kWh battery weighing 3,600 kg, would have a 6,350 kg maximum take-off weight, down from 6,668 kg, an altitude ceiling of 32,000 ft and a maximum payload of 1,134 kg.[23]

Taxi testing of the first production model began in December 2021 atArlington Municipal Airport,north ofSeattle.[24]In June 2022, it was announced that the prototype Alice was being moved toGrant County International AirportinMoses Lake, Washington,where first flight was hoped to occur by the summer of 2022.[25][26]

The aircraft had its first flight on 27 September 2022.[1] Following the first test flight, Eviation announced it has revised the proposed range from 440 nm to 250 nm. The projected service entry date has been delayed to 2027.[2] Before this range reduction,enduranceat MTOW was planned at 2.8h.[27]

2024 redesign

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As no other flights followed the eight-minute September 2022 sortie, in April 2024 Eviation updated the Alice configuration to a constant cross-section tubular fuselage, large winglets, higher propeller pylons, and a larger central energy storage compartment above the wing following the completion of a conceptual design review alongside TLG Aerospace.[28][29]

Design

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Two variants of the Alice were originally planned.[30] The initial, unpressurized model was intended forair taxioperations, with energy stored in alithium-ion battery.Eviation was working on building a prototype scheduled to fly in early 2019.[30]In 2017, a second pressurized model was to be an extended-range ERexecutive aircraftavailable by 2023 for $2.9 million, with a more powerfulaluminum-air batterywith alithium-polymerbuffer, a cabin pressurized to 1,200 m (4,000 ft) at FL 280,G5000avionics, a 444 km/h (240 kn) cruise and 1,367 km (738 nmi) range.[30] In October 2019, Eviation described only the pressurized Alice Commuter with a 260 kn (480 km/h) cruise speed.[31]

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).[6]This is anticipated to increase as battery technology improves.[6] The batteries have been tested to more than 1,000 cycles, equivalent to 3,000 flight hours, They will then require replacement at a cost of $250,000, which is half of the directoperating costand similar to a piston engineoverhaul.[6] Based on U.S. industrialelectricity 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 theCessna 402s,Pilatus PC-12andBeechcraft King Air,for operations on routes under 500 nmi (930 km).[6][9] 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 toFlightglobal's Cirium data.[10]

The electric drivetrain will have a higher voltage than current electrical systems.[6]Two 850 hp (630 kW) Magni650 electric motors will drive two propellers mounted on the aft fuselage.[23] Theunpressurizedaircraft has a flat lower fuselage.[6]The Italian companyMagnaghi Aeronauticasupplieslanding gearand has already produced the gear for the similarly sizedPiaggio P.180 Avanti.[6] It will be built with existing technology, including a compositeairframe,propulsion from two Magnix electric engines[23]andHoneywell'sflight control systems,includingautomatic landing.[8] At 3,700 kg (8,200 lb), the batteries account for 60% of the aircraft take-off weight.[12]Manufacturing is planned in the US.[11]

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.[8][32] The cells are similar to those fromauto industry batteries.[22]

Orders

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In 2024, Eviation disclosed it has secured more than 600 letters of intent (LOIs) for aircraft worth an estimated $5 billion, with some of those deals included deposits, the company hopes to begin converting LOIs into firm orders once it has finalised suppliers for the aircraft.[29]

The first potential customers for the Alice wasCape Air,a regional airline serving the Northeastern United States as well as the Caribbean.[33]In August 2021,Deutsche Postannounced that it had ordered 12 aircraft for use byDHLto transport cargo, with delivery planned from 2024.[34][35] In April 2022, Eviation stated that Cape Air signed a letter of Intent for the purchase of 75 planes.[36] In September 2022,GlobalX Airlinessigned a letter of intent for an order of 50 aircraft, with deliveries starting in 2027.[37]In January 2023, Mexican regional carrierAerusordered 30 aircraft.[38][importance?]

Specifications (intended)

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Data fromEviation[39]

General characteristics

  • Crew:2
  • Capacity:9 passengers
  • Length:17.4 m (57 ft 1 in)
  • Wingspan:19.2 m (63 ft 0 in)
  • Height:3.84 m (12 ft 7 in)
  • Max takeoff weight:8,346 kg (18,400 lb)
  • Commuter payload:1,134 kg (2,500 lb)
  • Cargo payload:1,179 kg (2,600 lb)[40]
  • Powerplant:2 ×magniX650 Electrical Power Unit, 700 kW (940 hp) each

Performance

  • Maximum speed:480 km/h (300 mph, 260 kn)
  • Range:460 km (290 mi, 250 nmi) VFR, 30 min. reserve, LRC, MTOW
  • Take-off field Length:840 m (2,750 ft)
  • Landing distance:620 m (2,040 ft)

See also

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References

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  1. ^abHemmerdinger, Jon (27 September 2022)."Eviation's Alice gets airborne for first time".FlightGlobal.Retrieved27 September2022.
  2. ^ab"Eviation Aircraft Alice".FutureFlight.AIN Media Group. September 2022.Retrieved29 October2022.
  3. ^Air Travel Is Destroying the Planet. An Israeli-developed Electric Plane Is One Solution,Haaretz
  4. ^Video: Watch world's first all-electric plane soar through test flight | CNN Business,28 September 2022,retrieved10 October2022
  5. ^Simon Griver (3 September 2019)."Clermont buys Israeli electric aircraft co Eviation".Globes.
  6. ^abcdefghijkGraham Warwick (26 February 2018)."Batteries Ready To Power Electric Regional Aircraft, Says Eviation".Aviation Week & Space Technology.(subscription required)
  7. ^Grady, Mary (6 March 2018)."Eviation Chooses Battery Supplier".AVweb.
  8. ^abcdLynch and, Kerry; Trautvetter, Chad (28 December 2018)."Eviation, ERAU Join Forces on Electric Aircraft".AIN online.
  9. ^abKate Sarsfield (8 January 2019)."Eviation secures funding for all-electric Alice".FlightGlobal.
  10. ^abJon Hemmerdinger (22 April 2019)."MagniX to supply Eviation Alice motors as all-electric advances".FlightGlobal.
  11. ^ab"Eviation unveils electric airplane and plans flight tests in central Washington state".Geek Wire.18 June 2019.
  12. ^abKate Sarsfield (18 June 2019)."Cape air named as launch customer for the Alice electric aircraft".FlightGlobal.
  13. ^"Electric Planes, Flying Taxis, Supersonic Jets: Paris Air Show Gives Us a Peek at the Future of Flight".Fortune.22 June 2019.
  14. ^Kate Sarsfield (30 August 2019)."Clermont acquires Eviation Aircraft".FlightGlobal.
  15. ^ab"Orders for a new all-electric plane now top 150".Bloomberg L.P.24 October 2019.
  16. ^Weitering, Hanneke (29 April 2024)."Eviation Reveals Latest Redesign of Alice Electric Airplane | AIN".Aviation International News.Retrieved5 September2024.
  17. ^"First electric VTOL Lilium Jet prototype goes up in flames: Updated".FlightGlobal.2 March 2020.Eviation's Alice fixed-wing prototype was destroyed by a blaze on 22 January that started in a ground-based battery system.
  18. ^O'Connor, Kate (24 January 2020)."Eviation Electric Aircraft Prototype Damaged In Testing Fire".AVweb.Archived fromthe originalon 28 January 2020.Retrieved28 January2020.
  19. ^"Electric Plane Catches Fire Last Night".Plane & Pilot Magazine.Retrieved24 January2020.
  20. ^"Eviation Alice fire involved lithium-Ion batteries which ignited after hours of power plant tests".FlightGlobal.20 November 2020.
  21. ^"GKN Aerospace and Eviation sign Collaboration Agreement on Wing, Empennage and EWIS for Alice All-Electric Aircraft"(Press release). 18 May 2019.
  22. ^abJon Hemmerdinger (16 December 2020)."Eviation tweaks Alice design, aims for 2021 first flight".FlightGlobal.
  23. ^abcdJon Hemmerdinger (1 July 2021)."Eviation changes Alice design, performance specifications shift".FlightGlobal.
  24. ^Gates, Dominic(14 February 2022)."Electric airplane CEO ousted ahead of 1st flight".The Seattle Times.Retrieved14 February2022.
  25. ^Podsada, Janice (7 June 2022)."Eviation moves tests of electric passenger plane to Moses Lake".HeraldNet.Retrieved7 June2022.
  26. ^Ostrower, Jon (6 June 2022)."Eviation relocates Alice to Moses Lake for maiden flight".The Air Current.Retrieved7 June2022.
  27. ^Jon Hemmerdinger (10 February 2022)."Eviation CEO details Alice's battery safety system, first flight 'days away'".FlightGlobal.
  28. ^Dominic Perry (25 April 2024)."Eviation reshapes Alice as commuter clears concept design review stage".FlightGlobal.
  29. ^abHardee, Howard (4 September 2024)."Certification of Eviation's all-electric Alice pushes toward end of decade".Flight Global.Retrieved5 September2024.
  30. ^abcPaul Jackson (8 October 2017)."Emerging Aircraft: Props And Turboprops".Aviation Week Network.
  31. ^"Alice Commuter".Eviation. Archived fromthe originalon 23 July 2019.Retrieved28 October2019.
  32. ^"Eviation Secures 150 Total Orders for its All-Electric Commuter Aircraft".Transport Up.26 October 2019. Archived fromthe originalon 27 October 2019.Retrieved10 December2019.
  33. ^Spillane, Geoff."Cape Cod-based Cape Air announced to fly all-electric plane".capecodtimes.Archived fromthe originalon 9 July 2021.Retrieved6 July2021.
  34. ^"DHL Express shapes future for sustainable aviation with the order of first-ever all-electric cargo planes from Eviation"(Press release). Deutsche Post DHL. 3 August 2021.
  35. ^Broadbent, Mark (September 2021). "All about Alice for DHL".Air International.Vol. 101, no. 3. p. 6.ISSN0306-5634.
  36. ^Jon Hemmerdinger (15 April 2022)."Eviation says Cape Air will take 75 Alice aircraft, details scarce".FlightGlobal.
  37. ^O'Connor, Kate (15 September 2022)."GlobalX Orders 50 Eviation Alice Electric Aircraft".AVweb.Archivedfrom the original on 16 September 2022.Retrieved16 September2022.
  38. ^Boyle, Alan (17 January 2023)."Mexico's Aerus airline signs up for 30 electric airplanes to be built by Eviation".GeekWire.GeekWire, LLC.Retrieved7 February2023.
  39. ^"Alice Specifications".Eviation. Archived fromthe originalon 28 September 2022.Retrieved19 April2021.
  40. ^"Eviation's Alice Achieves Milestone with First Flight of All-Electric Aircraft"(PDF)(Press release). Eviation. 27 September 2022.
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