Swedish aircraft manufacturer Heart Aerospace is set to achieve a significant milestone in sustainable aviation with the first fully electric experimental flight of its Heart Experimental 1 (Heart X1) demonstrator. Scheduled for 2025, the flight will take place at Plattsburgh International Airport in upstate New York. Heart X1 is poised to become the largest fully electric aircraft ever to take to the skies and serves as a critical step in the development of Heart Aerospace’s 30-seat hybrid-electric regional aircraft, the ES-30.
The ES-30 is designed to revolutionise short-haul aviation with its innovative hybrid-electric propulsion. It offers an all-electric, zero-emissions range of 200 kilometres and an extended hybrid range of 400 kilometres, promising a sustainable and efficient solution for regional air travel. The upcoming experimental flight will validate the capabilities of Heart Aerospace’s cutting-edge electric propulsion technology, paving the way for the ES-30’s future commercial use.
Plattsburgh International Airport was strategically chosen for this landmark event due to its ideal location in the Champlain Valley, which is emerging as a hub for next-generation transportation. Its extensive airfield infrastructure, low traffic density, and local support for transportation innovation make it a prime site for Heart Aerospace’s experimental efforts.
Heart Aerospace’s co-founder and CEO, Anders Forslund, expressed his delight for the partnership with Plattsburgh:
“We’re thrilled to join Plattsburgh’s thriving aerospace community as we push the boundaries of air travel towards a cleaner, more sustainable future. Electric commercial airplanes could lower operating costs for US airlines, re-establish regional routes and boost local economies.”
Preparations for the Heart X1 flight, including rigorous system testing, are underway, with the aircraft expected to arrive in Plattsburgh in early 2025.
