2024 configuration with constant cross-section tubular fuselage, large winglets, higher propeller pylons, and a larger central energy storage compartment above the wing
The Eviation Alice is an electric aircraft designed to accommodate nine passengers and two crew members. First developed in Israel,[3] its construction incorporates 95% composite material, is powered by two electric motors, and has a T-tail. The prototype first flew on 27 September 2022.[4]
Development
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 model UAV was flown to validate the aerodynamics and flight controls.[6]Kokam was selected to supply pouch lithium polymer batteries to power the full-scale prototype.[6] Work on the power system and drive train was begun.[6][7]
Eviation teamed up with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to launch a research and development program in the spring of 2019 at its Prescott, 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 in Vannes, northwest France.[9] 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.[10]
At the June 2019 Paris Air Show, a full-size static Alice was exhibited.[11]
The first airline customer was announced: Hyannis, Massachusetts-based Cape Air.[12] 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] 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]
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 a T-tail and 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]
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, endurance at MTOW was planned at 2.8h.[27]
2024 redesign
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
Two variants of the Alice were originally planned.[30]
The initial, unpressurized model was 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.[30] 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.[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 direct operating cost and similar to a piston engine overhaul.[6]
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).[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 to Flightglobal'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]
The unpressurized aircraft has a flat lower fuselage.[6] The Italian company Magnaghi Aeronautica supplies landing gear and has already produced the gear for the similarly sized Piaggio P.180 Avanti.[6]
It will be built with existing technology, including a composite airframe, propulsion from two Magnix electric engines[23] and Honeywell's flight control systems, including automatic 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 from auto industry batteries.[22]
Orders
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 was Cape Air, a regional airline serving the Northeastern United States as well as the Caribbean.[33] In August 2021, Deutsche Post announced that it had ordered 12 aircraft for use by DHL to 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 Airlines signed a letter of intent for an order of 50 aircraft, with deliveries starting in 2027.[37] In January 2023, Mexican regional carrier Aerus ordered 30 aircraft.[38][importance?]