Pushing the boundaries for what humankind can achieve in the air isn't exactly a new ambition. It all started hundreds of years ago with what we now consider a child’s toy, the simple kite. Leonardo da Vinci made his contributions in the 15th century with his research but it wasn’t until the 18th century that the first human took to the skies in a hot air balloon. 80 years later the term “Aviation” was first coined by the French pioneer Guillaume Joseph Gabriel de La Landelle, appropriately derived from the Latin word “avis” meaning bird and “ation” meaning an action or progress. Little did Guillaume know that he had just named one of the most innovative industries the world has ever seen.

Fast forward forty years and possibly the biggest step in flight was taken in a small town in North Carolina by the now-immortalised Wright brothers. 

Since then the aviation industry has grown from strength to strength, innovation to innovation and it doesn’t look to stop anytime soon.

It's now 2019 and there have been huge advances in the world of electric powered machines, and aviation isn’t sitting on the sidelines.

There are a number of companies across the globe looking to take aviation to the next level with hybrid or full-electric aircraft, and we for one are excited to see what the future holds and how we can facilitate introducing this new technology to the Pacific skies.

One company in particular are making huge strides with their all-electric, 9-seater aircraft called the Alice Commuter. Set to disrupt the regional travel market, Eviation is an Israeli-based company and have designed the Alice to travel up to 650 miles at a cruise speed of 240 knots, all for the cost of a train ticket. Now wouldn't that be something? 

If you are interested to learn more please get in touch with Dale James at dale.james@oal.co.nz and he will be more than happy to provide you with further information.