Eviation Alice - all-electric plane

Eviation Alice Electric Airplane

https://www.eviation.co/alice/

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A big problem with all electric planes is the inability to trade range (fuel) for payload. Not efficient to always having to carry 100% ‘fuel’ wt.

 

No problem. Just burn up the battery as you are using it. Already being tried.

 

E-Planes are going to be beautifully quiet.
And with those wingtip-motors this one should do most excellent hammerheads

 

Will the drone style designs for commuter use fall under the same airplane-style design rules and certifications from the FAA?

SV


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Who knows what a hammerhead is these days?

 

Shark!

SV


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Silly, it is the heavy end!

Best regards,

Robert

 

Especially when full fuel equals 60% of mtow!

 

True, but aircrft are designed for specific mission profiles, so as long as it fits the mission the benfits of electrics are pretty clear. What does a tuirbine cost to buy and replace, fuel etc, not to mention noise.

Didnt some outfit fit electrics to their Otters for short haul seaplane flights.

Electrics work for short haul and where there is enough turnaround time.

Solid state batteries which are probbaly not maore than 5 years off will double to quadruple energy density of batteries.

In the end a battery future for autos and short haul flights will elave the long haul flights to pertroleum powered aircraft, overall the sky will be quieter and air cleaner.

the future is using the right porpusion emthod for the required job, as opposed to now where we use petroleum for all.

Before lipo batteries cordless tools were a semi joke, and lots of auto shops used air power, now cordless is the practical way to go.

TRhe big issue si where are we gettign the power from in the first place.

Seems like electrics in cars work for cities to keep their air clean and relatvely noisless. In aircraft the big bnefit seems to be significantly reduced short haul operating costs, and way lower noise.

 

Real challenge reading your posts, Box.... spelling????

Harbour Air is talking about converting their Beaver and other planes to electric power at some point.
None have been converted yet.

 

I don't know of any small aircraft (Part 23) that can carry full fuel and fill the cabin with (adult) passengers. So while their may be a specific mission, the designs leave a lot of room to adjust that mission.

Cape Air is the supposed first customer. They are currently users of C-402's, which have max TO weight of <7000lb. That is less than the battery weight of the Alice, and <50% of the max weight of the Alice.
https://www.globalair.com/aircraft-for-sale/Specifications?specid=474
The fact that they run avgas through TSIO-520's is probably a good reason to change. If they were currently flying a fleet of 88 turbine powered aircraft not sure they would be switching. Probably the only reason they are thinking of the Alice is 'multi-engine', as there are a couple single turbines that could match (or exceed) the C-402 performance for a lot less than $4M. Very doubtful if that $4M number for the Alice becomes reality, i.e. it will grow substantially before certification is complete.

^^^^ Might make sense with the Otters as they fly into (more) established bases where a charge cart could be located. Note sure where Harbor flys their Beavers but doubt if you ever see Kenmore Air converting their Beavers to electric. Would not want to get stranded on a remote lake or inlet with a low battery and no means to charge.

 

It's Harbour Air (with a U... Canadian spelling, Not Harbor Air (different airline)...

Harbour Air Seaplanes is a scheduled floatplane service, tour and charter airline based in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. The predominately seaplane airline specializes in routes between Vancouver, Nanaimo, Victoria, Sechelt, Comox, Whistler and the Gulf Islands, primarily with de Havilland Canada floatplanes...., it operates de Havilland Beavers, Otters and Twin Otters.

 

oops I was looking at their website before writing that and it still slipped by.

As posted in another forum on this site:
Q: What did G Washington say when the British asked him what he was doing starting a revolution?
Ans: Getting rid of 'u'

 

The noise comes from the prop..... not the engine.

Turbine engines cost what they cost because they actually work. An electric plane with range and useful load seems impossible to me. Don't kid yourself thinking they'll be cheap either. Most of the cost in an airplane is due to regulatory and lawsuits.

 

Yeah most of what you say is correct. And yes new aircraft almost never work out as planned or on coast except maybe the PC24. But electrics can control prop speed and piston twins make lots of different noises, which is what this plane is replacing. It'l be sold at the advertised price because its a startup and startups raise and burn money, not necessarily make profit.

For its limited mission is may well work, whther that mission can be expanded to a wider market is of course a big question. But with the advent of solid state batteries range will double to tripple thereby expanding the niche, and yes its a niche.

Personaly I think the last carbon emitting transports will be aircraft and ships, thats where the range comes from, carbon fuels are energy dense. I suppose if people were really hungup on emission 50 years from now you can make hydrogen powered turbines, but then the fuel needs to be in round cylinders which means the fuselage.

Electrics will probably have their biggest impact in shgort rnage vertical flight, but lest see, all interesting stuff.

 

I have a JPI drone.... It's surprisingly noisy for something so small. Multiply the weight of the JPI drone by 1000. You can multiply the noise from the electric props the same IMO. An electric twin will be noisy.

Everything else regarding battery endurance and weight remains to be seen. We shall see. I'd love for electric everything to work out. I just don't think it will. I think hydrogen is the correct answer. But it's fun to watch.