World’s largest battery-powered aircraft completes first flight using just $5 of electricity
American Heart Aerospace conducted the first flight of the full-scale electric demonstrator aircraft X1, which the company calls the world’s largest battery-powered aircraft ever to take to the skies. During the 27-minute flight, it used approximately $5 worth of electricity. This was reported by the company’s press service.
The first flight of the X1 took place on August 12 at the company’s test facility at Plattsburgh International Airport in New York state.
The aircraft has a wingspan of 106 feet, or about 32 meters, and a length of 76 feet, or about 23 meters. Its takeoff weight exceeded 25,000 pounds, or approximately 11.3 tons.
The manned flight lasted 27 minutes. The X1 climbed to an altitude of 1,100 feet above the ground, about 335 meters, and its all-electric propulsion system delivered over one megawatt of power.
The test program included taxiing, takeoff, climb, maneuvering, and landing. The flight was conducted under a special airworthiness certificate for experimental aircraft from the US Federal Aviation Administration.
Heart Aerospace stated that the purpose of the test was to demonstrate the feasibility of all-electric flight at a scale that could be relevant to commercial aviation.
The company paid special attention to energy costs. The X1 operates exclusively on batteries and used approximately $5 worth of electricity during its first 27-minute flight.
“With the first flight of the X1, Heart Aerospace has demonstrated electric flight at the scale of a commercial airliner. Electric commercial aircraft have the potential to fundamentally change airline economics and, ultimately, reduce the cost of air travel for passengers,” stated Heart Aerospace founder and CEO Anders Forslund.
The X1 is not intended for mass production. It is a full-scale technology demonstrator for the future ES-30 regional aircraft, which Heart Aerospace is working on. The company uses it to test aerodynamics, flight characteristics, and key technological solutions.
Unlike the all-electric X1, the production ES-30 is being developed as a 30-seat hybrid-electric regional aircraft. The company plans to certify it according to the FAA Part 25 requirements for transport category airplanes.
The project has already received commitments from major air carriers, including United Airlines, Air Canada, and JSX.
Heart Aerospace plans to enter the ES-30 into service in 2031. According to the company’s estimates, its operating costs should be more than 40% lower compared to traditional regional aircraft.
The developer expects to achieve savings due to the lower cost of energy, reduced maintenance requirements for the electric propulsion system and electrified aircraft systems, as well as increased availability time for flights.
Currently, Heart Aerospace is building the first pre-production ES-30 at its experimental manufacturing facility in Los Angeles. The start of its flight tests is scheduled for 2028.
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