FutureFlight
GKN Signs as Key Supplier on Eviation’s Alice Electric Aircraft
Tier 1 supplier GKN Aerospace will provide the wings, empennage, and EWIS for the Alice regional electric aircraft.
Alice, Eviation
Alice, the all-composite electric aircraft launched by Eviation seen at the Paris Airshow in 2019. (Photo: David McIntosh)

GKN Aerospace has agreed to supply the wings, empennage, and electrical wiring interconnection systems (EWIS) for the Alice regional electric aircraft recently launched by Eviation, the companies announced Monday. The all-composite electric aircraft, designed to fly up to distances of 500 miles, will use distributed propulsion, high-energy-density batteries, so-called mission-driven energy management, and a new airframe tailored to such technological advances for regional flight operators.

In January, a prototype of the Alice caught fire during ground testing and was badly damaged. Eviation has declined to comment on when plans to start flight testing, which had been expected early in 2020, may resume.