Heart Aerospace flies X1 battery-electric demonstrator for first time

Heart Aerospace has flown its X1 full-scale demonstrator aircraft for the first time, according to the company. The flight took off from Plattsburgh International Airport in New York state and lasted 27 minutes, during which the aircraft reached an altitude of about 1,100 feet.

The X1 is powered entirely by a battery-electric propulsion system, which the company said delivered more than one megawatt of power during the flight. Heart Aerospace described the aircraft as a technology testbed supporting development of its planned ES-30 regional airliner, which is intended to combine battery-electric propulsion with a thermal engine to extend range and payload capacity.

With a wingspan of 106 feet and a takeoff weight exceeding 25,000 pounds, the company said the X1 is the largest battery-electric aircraft to have flown to date. Heart Aerospace also said the flight consumed only about $5 worth of electricity.

The test was reportedly observed by potential future customers and investors, including United Airlines. The airline's chief financial officer, Michael Leskinen, was quoted as calling the flight a major technical achievement for Heart Aerospace and expressing optimism about the potential of electric commercial aircraft to improve passenger experience while supporting airline operations.

The flight follows earlier approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration for Heart Aerospace to conduct test flights of the X1 demonstrator, according to the company.