First milestone towards all-electric aircraft

The wings and empennage feature advanced composite technology and are the first delivered by GKN Aerospace as fully integrated structures. Alice is taking advantage of GKN Aerospace’s multi-technology specialist skills in airframe, structures and EWIS from right across the business. The build and assembly was supported by products manufactured on the Isle of Wight, in the UK and the Netherlands. Final assembly and integration was completed at the new £32 million Global Technology Center in Bristol, UK.

GKN Aerospace and Eviation announced the collaboration covering the design and manufacture of wings, empennage and EWIS in May 2020. Alice is preparing for its first flight later this year where it will take nine passengers for up to 440 nautical miles.

Flying the flag for green aviation

UK Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “It is great to see GKN Aerospace flying the flag for green aviation and driving forward the technology necessary to end our contribution to climate change. The fantastic work happening at GKN Aerospace’s new Global Technology Centre is wonderful news for our plans to invest in the next generation of green aviation technologies here at home, bringing them to market and then to our skies.”

John Pritchard, President of Civil Airframe at GKN Aerospace, added: “The development of all-electric aircraft is a game-changer. This first delivery is not only an important milestone in our collaboration with Eviation, but also in the quest for more sustainable and environmentally friendly aviation. GKN Aerospace is proud to bring its wealth of experience in design and certification, as well as technology leadership, to achieve this landmark.”

Last year, AirMed&Rescue looked at the latest efforts by the aviation sector to minimize the effects of emissions from the global air rescue and air medical industry.