Shulou(Shulou.com)11/24 Report--

CTOnews.com, September 28 (Xinhua)-- Eviation Aircraft, an Israeli technology start-up in Lake Moses, Washington, made its first test flight on an electric plane developed by the company on September 27 local time. Eviation Aircraft had previously called the Alice "the world's first all-electric commuter aircraft".

Eviation Aircraft aims to deliver passenger and cargo electric aircraft by 2027, but achieving that goal will also depend on advances in battery technology. The initial commercial goal was to recharge for about 35 minutes and fly about 240 to 400 kilometers.

The plane made its first flight at Grant County International Airport (KMWH) in Lake Moses, Washington, on Sept. 27. Alice took off at around 7:10 PST and flew at an altitude of about 3500 feet (1067.50 meters) for about eight minutes. Eviation has been delivering aircraft for some time in partnership with AeroTEC, an aerospace engineering company, and has been testing the aircraft at AeroTEC's Lake Moses facility.

The plane, named after Alice Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, is designed to accommodate nine passengers and two pilots. As early as the early iteration at the 2019 Paris Air Show, the improved fuselage features a T-shaped tail, a high aspect ratio straight wing with a winglet and a unique rear front propeller. According to Eviation, the plane is designed to have a maximum daily range of 250nautical miles and a maximum cruising speed of 260knots (about 481.52 km / h). An "executive" version with six seats is also under development.

CTOnews.com learned that the all-electric aircraft is powered by high-energy-density batteries and powers two rear-mounted 640kW Magni650 motors made by MagniX to drive its five-blade propeller.

The plane uses "the same type of 21700 [lithium-ion] battery that can be found in Tesla or many cars. The specification table shows that the battery level is about 270Wh to 260Wh per kilogram." The battery itself "acts as a structural part of the aircraft, which means that from a load-bearing point of view, the plane cannot fly without the battery." The company hopes that the plane will be certified for FAA type in time for use in 2025.

Eviation's recent commercial success reflects the aircraft's potential to revolutionize the aviation industry in the short term. Global Crossing Airlines (GlobalX) recently signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Eviation to order 50 Alice aircraft, which is expected to begin delivery in 2027. "Eviation's Alice aircraft are setting the standard for sustainable aviation, and we plan to provide the aircraft to cruise companies, tour operators, leisure travel suppliers and business customers who need short-haul charter flights in Florida," GlobalX said.

In addition, in April 2022, commuter giant Cape Air signed a letter of intent with Eviation for 75 Alice aircraft aimed at promoting "sustainable development, growth and innovation."

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