A to Z

Alice

Approaching first flight, Eviation’s Alice readies to test FAA

Jon Ostrower and Elan Head·January 20, 2022

Eviation’s progress as the first all-new passenger commercial airplane exclusively powered by batteries is being closely watched as a technical, economic and regulatory pathfinder for the wider adoption of electric flight.

Electric airplane aspirant Eviation lays off most of its staff

Jon Ostrower·February 14, 2025

Log-in here if you’re already a subscriber HEAR FROM THE AIR CURRENT Leave this field empty if you're human: Release...

Electric flying advances to the mainstream as Tecnam joins the race

Jon Ostrower·November 12, 2020

Log-in here if you’re already a subscriber Release DateNovember 12, 2020Electric flying advances to the mainstream as Tecnam joins the...

A rendering of Heart Aerospace ES-19 in United Express colors.

Electric is the future of regional aviation, just not yet

Courtney Miller·September 14, 2021

An optimistic but sober  look inside the realities of  electric commercial aviation. Part one in an analytical series examining the future of electric flying, away from the unrealistic hype and the reflexive naysayers.

A conceptual company rendering of Boom's Overture in final assembly.

Electric, supersonic startups lay down their industrial roots

Jon Ostrower·January 28, 2021

The aerospace newcomers are beginning their transition from ambitious start-ups to brick and mortar businesses with products to build and deliver to market.

Eviation looks past flying Alice to a slew of unanswered questions

Jon Ostrower·September 26, 2022

Log-in here if you’re already a subscriber UPDATE: Aviation’s Alice prototype completed a successful eight-minute maiden flight in Moses Lake,...

Eviation relocates Alice to Moses Lake for maiden flight

Jon Ostrower·June 6, 2022

Log-in here if you’re already a subscriber Release DateJune 6, 2022Eviation relocates Alice to Moses Lake for maiden flightPurchase a...

Eviation zaps its uncharacteristically candid founder

Jon Ostrower·February 14, 2022

His public comments at recent events — including an interview with The Air Current — have provided a previously unseen glimpse at Alice’s design and Eviation’s technical assumptions, nuances and operational necessities that accompany the world’s first all-electric commercial aircraft — including a begrudging acknowledgement of the slow pace of battery innovation.

Goop, gulp and glow: Imagining the paths to a 1,000 Wh/kg battery

Elan Head·May 11, 2023

Log-in here if you’re already a subscriber Release DateMay 11, 2023Goop, gulp and glow: Imagining the paths to a 1,000...

The missing ingredients in electric aviation’s economic pie

Courtney Miller·September 23, 2021

Following TAC Analysis’s first examination of the limited market size for these new, sub-20 seat electric aircraft, we turn our attention to the new economics of the segment, charting the divergence between the advertised benefits and a more complete picture of what may be expected. Can the current generation of all-electric aircraft deliver the stunning economics required to resurrect a declining 19-seat market segment?

Three Points: Airbus & Boeing freighters, swappable aircraft batteries, Cockpit Casual

Jon Ostrower·August 2, 2021

Airbus has launched its A350 freighter and the move is kicking off an arms race with Boeing, which has enjoyed a near-monopoly in the segment for decades. What if you could swap a battery between flights on an electric airplane? Tecnam thinks they may have the solution to speed up turn times for its P-VOLT commuter. Globetrotting ferry pilots document life in the air and what it's like flying through a pandemic when business is booming. Cockpit Casual is finally here and its worth every moment of your time.

Three Points: American to lead 737 Max return, Embraer’s hybrid STOUT, Apple and green aviation

Jon Ostrower·November 16, 2020

The FAA is poised to order the Boeing 737 Max ungrounded this week. American Airlines will lead the jet's return after the 20-month grounding. Embraer's conceptual hybrid-electric STOUT for the Brazilian Air Force breaks cover and looks even more interesting than its E3 turboprop study. Apple's path to developing its new ultra-efficient M1 chip is an instructive guide for the strategic future of green aviation.