Hartzell Propeller to partner with Eviation Aircraft on electric commuter aircraft

Hartzell Propeller Inc. (Piqua, OH,  US) announced Nov. 5 it has been selected by Eviation Aircraft (Kadima, Israel), a global manufacturer of all-electric air mobility solutions, as a development partner for Eviation’s debut aircraft, the all-electric Alice. With zero-emissions and 100% battery-electric solution, the Alice aircraft will be test flown at the 53^rd Paris Air Show in June 2019. Under the terms of the development partnership, Hartzell Propeller will provide customized and optimized propellers and support systems.

Eviation’s Alice will provide high-energy density battery-powered fleets to regional carriers in the US. With development support from Hartzell Propeller, the Alice will be equipped with an innovative system of new propellers, designed to meet the unique needs of the first-in-kind aircraft. The design and manufacture of the propeller systems will utilize Hartzell’s 5-blade carbon fiber blades and Bantam hub series to provide the optimal combination of reduced weight and maximum performance.

Each of the propellers in the three-unit ship set will be approximately 65 inches in diameter and feature carbon fiber blades with nickel cobalt leading edges, certified for unlimited life. The structural composite propellers will be integrated with Eviation’s proprietary technology advances, including: thermal management and autonomous landing, distributed electric propulsion, and composite body frames capable of carrying up to nine passengers on a single charge for 650 miles.