Prototype Electric Airplane Took Its First Flight in Washington

By Associated Press, September 2022

A prototype, all-electric airplane, by the name of Alice, took its first flight on September 27, 2022, in central Washington state.

The Seattle Times reports that the plane, built by startup Eviation, was built to carry nine passengers and up to two pilots, and took off from Moses Lake, Washington, at 7:10 a.m. on September 27th. The plane landed eight minutes later. If the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) eventually certifies the small airplane to carry passengers, it could become the first all-electric commercial airplane.

This all-electric airplane was designed and built in Arlington, WA.

“The world is demanding an alternative to fossil fuel-powered flight,” reports Eviation, “and we have engineered an aircraft capable of delivering. The magniX all-electric propulsion system is a revolutionary step forward in aviation, and this world-leading technology enables the aerospace industry to embrace the electric age.”

The plane, designed by engineers in Washington state and Israel, is powered by 21,500 small Tesla-style battery cells. Environmentally, financially and socially sustainable, the Alice heralds a new era of transporting people and goods. Its advanced digital flight deck was built with performance, workload reduction, and pilot comfort in mind, and is the first FAR23 category aircraft with a fly-by-wire, fully electronic flight control system, complemented by touch screen flight displays.

"Eviation is all about expanding human possibilities by changing the way we think about air travel. Electric flight is a step change in how we will soon be traveling and shipping. It will change our society." —Gregory Davis, President & CEO, Eviation

You can learn more about Eviation and watch a video of Alice’s first flight HERE, and find more detailed information about Alice HERE.

Safety In Motion Flight Center is one of the top flight schools in Washington state and encourages anyone who has an interest in flying to contact us about flight training. Flight is our future, so stop dreaming, and start Flying Today!

Photo courtesy of: Seattle Times