Israeli manufacturer of all-electric air mobility solutions Eviation Aircraft has selected Hartzell Propeller as development partner for its debut aircraft, the all-electric Alice. Under the terms of the development agreement Hartzell will provide customised and optimised propellers and support systems.

The partnership marks the second US milestone for Eviation this year, coming on the heels of the establishment of its US headquarters in Prescott, Arizona, in June.

Founded in Tel Aviv in 2015, Eviation is led by a team of aviation and technology leaders from companies such as Phinergy and the Israel Defense Forces. It first revealed its plans for the aviation sector's first all-electric aircraft, the Alice at the 2017 Paris Airshow. Initially targeting regional commuter routes in the US, Eviation will offer battery-powered fleets to regional carriers there with a value proposition that it claims can reduce carrier operating expenses by up to 70 per cent.

“Eviation's new regional commuter aircraft provides an exciting opportunity to be a part of the next generation in aircraft powered by electricity,” says Hartzell Propeller president Joe Brown. “And it is another example of manufacturers utilising our expertise in supplying propeller systems designed to optimise performance specifically for their aircraft and mission profile.”

With development support from Hartzell, the Alice will be equipped with three pusher propellers positioned on the wingtips and tail of the aircraft. The design and manufacture of the propeller systems are already underway at Hartzell's headquarters in Piqua, Ohio, and will utilise Hartzell's five-blade carbon fibre 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 fibre blades with nickel cobalt leading edges, certified for unlimited life. The structural composite propellers will be integrated with Eviation's proprietary technology, including thermal management and autonomous landing; distributed electric propulsion; and cutting-edge composite body frames capable of carrying up to nine passengers on a single charge for 650 miles.

“Hartzell is an industry icon in aviation for its innovative propeller designs,” says Eviation CEO Omer Bar-Yohay. “It is largely responsible for the two precursors to our battery-power engine; the turboprop propeller and the piston engine, so we welcome it as a valued partner as together we chart this new era of electric aviation.”

Eviation is a member of NASA's on-demand mobility programme and serves on the electric aviation committees of the General Aviation Manufacturers' Association (GAMA) and the FAA in the US.