Alice took off from Grant County International Airport (MWH) in Washington state, flying for eight minutes at 3,500 feet, which has provided Eviation with data to further optimise the aircraft for commercial production.
“Today we embark on the next era of aviation – we have successfully electrified the skies with the unforgettable first flight of Alice,” Eviation president and CEO Gregory Davis said in a statement. “People now know what affordable, clean and sustainable aviation looks and sounds like for the first time in a fixed-wing, all-electric aircraft. This ground-breaking milestone will lead innovation in sustainable air travel, and shape both passenger and cargo travel in the future.”
According to Eviation, Alice produces no carbon emissions, significantly reduces noise, and costs a fraction to operate per flight hour compared to light jets or high-end turboprops. The company further added that this new generation of aircraft will be able to provide access to airports not currently used due to noise concerns or restricted operating hours.
Eviation Alice is targeted at commuter and cargo markets and will typically operate flights ranging from 150 to 250 miles.
Related content
US-based regional airlines Cape Air and Global Crossing Airlines have placed orders for 75 and 50 Alice aircraft respectively. DHL Express is Eviation’s first cargo customer with an order of 12 Alice eCargo variants.
“We currently fly more than 400 regional flights per day, connecting more than 30 cities across the United States and Caribbean,” said Cape Air Founder and Board Chairman Dan Wolf. “Alice can easily cover 80 per cent of our flight operations, bringing sustainable, emission-free travel to the communities we serve.”
Alice is available in three variants including a nine-passenger commuter, six-passenger executive cabin, and eCargo with all configurations supporting two crew members. The aircraft - powered by two magni650 electric propulsion units from magniX rated at 700 kW each - has a maximum operating speed of 260 knots and can carry passengers up to 2,500lbs or 2,600 of cargo in the eCargo version.
Would you fly in an aircraft powered by electricity? Let us know in Comments
April 1886: the Brunkebergs tunnel
First ever example of a ground source heat pump?