Eviation Alice

Alice
Role Electric aircraft
National origin Israel
Manufacturer Eviation Aircraft
First flight planned early 2019[1]
Status Under development
Unit cost
ER: $2.9 million[1]

The Eviation Alice is an Israeli electric aircraft under development by Eviation Aircraft. Built 95% from composite materials, it will be controlled by fly-by-wire and powered by three propellers, at the wingtips and the rear fuselage. The company was founded in 2015.[1]

Design

Two versions of the Alice are planned. The initial model will be intended for air taxi operations, with energy stored in a lithium-ion battery, Eviation is building a prototype scheduled to fly in early 2019 and aims to certify it under the FAR Part 23 for IFR and known icing conditions. The second model will 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 pressurised 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.[1]

With 260 Wh/kg cells, the 900 kWh battery capacity [3,460 kg (7,630 lb)] gives the design a range of 540–650 nmi (1,000–1,200 km) at 240 knots and 10,000 ft (3,048 m). This is anticipated to increase as battery technology improves. The batteries have been tested to more than 1,000 cycles, equivalent to 3,000 flight hours, and will then require replacement at a cost of $250,000 - half of the direct operating cost, similar to a piston engine overhaul. Based on U.S. industrial electricity prices, the direct operating cost will be $200 per hour, which compares to $600–1,000 per hour for existing aircraft of similar purchase price, for operations on routes under 500 nmi (930 km). This includes piston- and turboprop-powered Cessna 402s, Pilatus PC-12 and Beechcraft King Airs.[2]

The electric drivetrain will have a higher voltage than current electrical systems. The 300-kW and 400-kW chargers will recharge after one hour of flight time in half an hour. Three 260 kW (350 hp) motors drive propellers mounted on the wingtips, located in the vortices to improve efficiency, and mounted on the tail. The unpressurized aircraft will have a flat lower fuselage. The Italian company Magnaghi Aeronautica will supply the landing gear and has already produced the gear for the similarly sized Piaggio P.180 Avanti.[2]

Development

A 650 lb (290 kg) subscale unmanned model prototype was flown to validate the aerodynamics and flight controls. The South Korean Kokam Co., the Solar Impulse 2 battery supplier, was selected to supply pouch lithium polymer batteries to power the full-scale prototype. In February 2018, Eviation was building it with risk-sharing partners for the composite structures, fly-by-wire computers, flight-control logic and flight deck. The drivetrain was expected to be tested by the end of summer 2018 and the integrated system—batteries, motors and controllers with the fly-by-wire flight controls by late 2018 or early 2019 flight tests.[2][3]

Specifications (air taxi model)

Data from Eviation[4]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Capacity: 9 passengers
  • Length: 12 m (39 ft 4 in)
  • Wingspan: 15.2 m (49 ft 10 in)
  • Height: 3.1 m (10 ft 2 in)
  • Max takeoff weight: 6,070 kg (13,382 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 980 kWh
  • Powerplant: 1 × electric propulsion system, 280 kW (380 hp) in cruise, driving 3x propellers at wing-tips and tail

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 444 km/h (276 mph; 240 kn) at 3,000 m (10,000 ft) (non pressurised)
  • Never exceed speed: 500 km/h (311 mph; 270 kn)
  • Range: 966 km (600 mi; 522 nmi) reserve included
  • Service ceiling: 9,800 m (32,200 ft)
  • Approach speed: 185 km/h; 115 mph (100 kn)

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Paul Jackson (Oct 8, 2017). "Emerging Aircraft: Props And Turboprops". Aviation Week Network.
  2. 1 2 3 Graham Warwick (Feb 26, 2018). "Batteries Ready To Power Electric Regional Aircraft, Says Eviation". Aviation Week & Space Technology.
  3. ↑ Grady, Mary (6 March 2018). "Eviation Chooses Battery Supplier". AVweb. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  4. ↑ "Alice". Eviation.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.