Heart Aerospace completes first flight of X1 electric demonstrator

Heart Aerospace has successfully completed the first flight of its X1 demonstrator, a full-scale battery-electric aircraft. The flight took place at Plattsburgh International Airport in New York and lasted 27 minutes, reaching an altitude of 1,100 feet.

The X1 features a wingspan of 106 feet and a maximum takeoff weight of over 25,000 pounds. The company noted that the total electricity cost for the flight was approximately $5, highlighting the potential for significant operational cost savings compared to conventional fuel.

This demonstrator is intended to validate propulsion technology for the company’s upcoming ES-30, a 30-seat hybrid-electric regional airliner. Heart Aerospace aims to begin flight testing a pre-prototype of the ES-30 in 2028, with a target entry into service by 2031. Air Canada has already placed an order for 30 units of the ES-30.