The largest electric aircraft ever flown has completed its first test flight from Plattsburgh International Airport in upstate New York, using approximately $5 worth of electricity for the entire 27-minute journey.
Heart Aerospace’s X1 demonstrator climbed to around 1,100 feet and completed a full test profile, including takeoff, climbing, maneuvering and landing. Its electric motors delivered more than 1 megawatt of power, equivalent to over 1,300 horsepower, without burning conventional aviation fuel.
The aircraft is built at the scale of a real regional airliner, with a 106-foot wingspan, a length of about 76 feet and a takeoff weight exceeding 25,000 pounds.
The flight followed more than a year of ground testing, including structural, propulsion and taxi trials. The FAA inspected the aircraft and issued flight authorization in July.
The X1 is designed to demonstrate technology for Heart Aerospace’s planned ES-30 hybrid-electric regional aircraft, which will carry up to 30 passengers. Airlines including United Airlines, Air Canada and JSX have already expressed interest in the aircraft.
A pre-production ES-30 is currently being built in Los Angeles, with flight testing planned for 2028 and commercial airline service targeted for 2031.