Heart Aerospace has completed the first flight of its X1 electric aircraft demonstrator at Plattsburgh International Airport in New York.
The flight took place on 12 August and lasted 27 minutes. During the piloted flight, the aircraft reached an altitude of 1,100 feet above ground level, while its all-electric propulsion system delivered more than 1MW of power.
The 106-foot X1 is now the largest battery-electric aircraft to have flown. The aircraft weighs more than 25,000lb at take-off and is designed as a full-scale demonstrator for technologies intended for the company’s ES-30 regional aircraft.
The flight was conducted under a Special Airworthiness Certificate in the Experimental Category issued by the US Federal Aviation Administration. The test programme covered taxiing, take-off, climb, manoeuvring and landing.
The X1 is powered entirely by batteries and used around $5 worth of electricity during its first flight, according to Heart Aerospace.
The demonstrator is intended to validate the aerodynamics, electric propulsion technology and flight performance needed for the ES-30, as well as the company’s ability to develop and test an electric commercial aircraft.
The ES-30 is a 30-seat hybrid-electric regional aircraft being developed for certification under FAA Part 25 requirements. Heart Aerospace is targeting entry into service in 2031.
The aircraft is expected to reduce operating costs by more than 40% compared with existing regional aircraft. The proposed reduction is linked to lower energy costs, simplified electric propulsion and flight systems, and reduced maintenance requirements.
Heart Aerospace has secured commitments from airlines including United Airlines, Air Canada and JSX.
Anders Forslund, Founder and CEO of Heart Aerospace said:With the first flight of X1, Heart Aerospace has demonstrated electric flight at the scale of a commercial airliner. Electric commercial aircraft have the potential to fundamentally reshape airline economics and, ultimately, lower the cost of air travel for passengers. This is at the heart of our vision for abundant air travel, with electrification enabling more affordable, frequent, and cleaner air service to and from airports closer to home.
Heart Aerospace is now developing the first pre-production ES-30 at its pilot manufacturing facility in Los Angeles. Flight testing of the aircraft is scheduled to begin in 2028.
The X1 programme is intended to provide the company with experience that can be applied directly to the development and production of the ES-30.
