Heart Aerospace celebrated a huge milestone on Wednesday with the successful first flight of its electric X1 demonstrator aircraft.
The largest battery-electric aircraft ever flown completed the mission over upstate New York in 27 minutes, reaching an altitude of 1,100 feet and using just $5 worth of electricity.
The Los Angeles-based aircraft manufacturer said this week's milestone advances development of the ES-30, a 30-seat hybrid-electric regional airliner being developed for FAA Part 25 certification.
Heart Aerospace has already received commitments from United Airlines, Air Canada and JSX with a target launch date of 2031.
The milestone comes at a time when jet fuel costs have soared amid the global oil crisis. The company said it expects the ES-30 to reduce aircraft operating costs by more than 40% compared with legacy regional aircraft.
"With the first flight of X1, Heart Aerospace has demonstrated electric flight at the scale of a commercial airliner," Heart Aerospace Founder and CEO Anders Forslund said in a statement. "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," said Forslund.
United Airlines' Chief Financial Officer Michael Leskinen said: "The first flight of X1 is a major technical achievement for Heart Aerospace, a company United has been proud to support."
"Electric commercial aircraft have real potential to deliver a better travel experience for passengers while strengthening our business, and we look forward to Heart's continued development of the ES-30 and its potential future role in United's network," Leskinen said.
Heart Aerospace’s X1 demonstrator aircraft touches down at Plattsburgh International Airport in New York at the conclusion of its first flight. (Photo Credit: Heart Aerospace)
"The energy transition for aviation will require a range of solutions, from operational efficiencies to sustainable aviation fuels, and ultimately the development of new aircraft technologies," added John Di Bert, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Air Canada.
"Our investment in Heart Aerospace and the ES-30 reflects Air Canada's commitment to supporting innovative technologies that have the potential to transform aviation," Di Bert said. "X1's first flight is an important milestone in that journey, and we look forward to continuing to work with Heart Aerospace as the ES-30 program progresses and plays its part in the future of regional aviation."
Heart Aerospace is currently developing the first pre-production ES-30 at its pilot manufacturing plant in L.A., with flight testing scheduled to begin in 2028.
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