The Alice, an electric commuter aircraft designed to carry nine passengers, is just “days” away from conducting its maiden flight, the CEO of Eviation reveals.
The prototype of the aircraft has been performing engine runs and slow-speed taxi tests at the Arlington Municipal Airport (AWO). The last round of tests was performed on January 10, 2022.
In an interview with the Flying magazine given on the same day, Eviation CEO Omer Bar-Yohay said that the aircraft is “5 to 6 nice weather testing days” away from flying.
“We won’t do it a second before we feel safe and ready, but once we do, the Alice will fly and test often,” Bar-Yohay said.
Eviation’s electric commuter plane, Alice, was out and about today north of Seattle, doing engine runs and prepping for high speed taxi tests. pic.twitter.com/hjHz39rw7Y
— JDL (@photoJDL) January 10, 2022
Eviation’s Alice was unveiled at Paris Air Show in 2019. It is a twin-engine electric aircraft, powered by 640 kW magniX magni650 engines.
According to the manufacturer, once completed, Alice will be able to carry nine people or up to 2,500 lbs. (1,134 kg) of payload for a range of up to 440 nm (815 kilometers).
It will be available in three configurations: commuter, executive and cargo.
Alice’s launch customer, DHL, ordered 12 aircraft in cargo configuration in August 2021.