Heart Aerospace unveils ES-36 hybrid-electric aircraft

Heart Aerospace has unveiled the ES-36, a new hybrid-electric regional airliner designed to carry up to 36 passengers. The aircraft features an updated design that reduces the number of propellers from four to two, utilizing two 1.65 MW electric motors paired with turbogenerators to extend flight range.

The ES-36 offers an all-electric range of approximately 125 miles and a total hybrid range of 745 miles. The design aims to reduce operating costs by at least 40% compared to older regional aircraft while increasing payload capacity and passenger seating compared to previous models like the ES-30.

JSX, a public charter operator, has signed a deposit-backed agreement to purchase 50 ES-36 aircraft, with options for an additional 50. Heart Aerospace targets a first flight of the pre-production aircraft in the second half of 2028, with a goal of entering commercial service by 2031.