The Caribbean’s first electric airline is closer to becoming a reality.
The all-electric Alice aircraft, produced by Eviation Aircraft and already on order by Caribbean airline Cape Air, made its first flight this week.
Alice flew for eight minutes at an altitude of 3,500 feet, a trailblazing flight for the zero-emission plane.
“We have successfully electrified the skies with the unforgettable first flight of Alice,” said Eviation President and CEO Gregory Davis. “People now know what affordable, clean and sustainable aviation looks and sounds like for the first time in a fixed-wing, all-electric aircraft. This ground-breaking milestone will lead innovation in sustainable air travel, and shape both passenger and cargo travel in the future.”
Alice emits no carbon, reduces noise and costs a “fraction” to operate per flight hour compared to light jets and turboprops.
The plane has a max operating speed of 260 knots, with a max useful load of around 2,500 pounds for the passenger version.
The plane comes in three variants, including a nine-passenger commuter setup, a six-passenger executive cabin and an eCargo version.
It’s powered by two magni650 electric propulsion units.
Cape Air has already placed orders for 75 Alice aircraft, which will be spared across the airline’s Northeastern US and Caribbean fleet.
“The first flight of Alice represents a transformational milestone for the aviation industry,” said Cape Air Founder and Board Chairman Dan Wolf. “We currently fly more than 400 regional flights per day, connecting more than 30 cities across the United States and Caribbean. Alice can easily cover 80 percent of our flight operations, bringing sustainable, emission-free travel to the communities we serve.”