Eviation completes latest redesign of electric aircraft
Eviation Aircraft has completed a conceptual design review (CoDR) of its all-electric commuter airplane, Alice.
The review, which is described as significant milestone by Eviation, maintains Alice’s look but optimises performance. It also ensure the configuration is both certifiable and efficiently manufacturable.
“Completing the Conceptual Design Review is a major step in Alice’s journey, moving us significantly closer to aircraft certification and Entry Into Service,” said Andre Stein, CEO of Eviation. “The latest refinements have further enhanced the exceptional design of Alice, which has received orders from operators around the world keen to decarbonise their fleets. This is an exciting year for Eviation, as Alice makes tremendous strides toward making the electric aviation revolution a commercial reality.”
Conducted with the support of TLG Aerospace, the CoDR built on the data gathered from Alice’s first flight back in 2022, wind tunnel testing recently completed at the Kirsten Wind Tunnel in Seattle, feedback from Eviation’s customer advisory board and months of engineering work.
Features introduced in the Production Aircraft design include:
A constant cross section that reduces Alice’s part count and manufacturing costs, while also enabling future variants of the aircraft
Structural segments designed for field re-assembly with standard tooling available to MRO services
A larger, centralised Energy Storage System (ESS) compartment above the wing that can integrate a range of ESS solutions now and in the future
Optimised cabin space allowing for a side mounted carry-on stowage compartment unique in the commuter class.
Earlier this year we caught up with Eviation’s CEO about the company’s vision for electric aviation. Speaking at the time Stein said: “Electrification right now is ripe for the CTOL segment. There is movement for revolution even in such a resilient segment as fixed-wing regional air travel. Struggles in this area have been addressed previously with older platforms, and this is where we bring about a change and a fresh approach.”
