30-seat electric aircraft, Heart X1, during a test flight. 27 minutes, $5 in energy costs

Heart Aerospace conducted the first test flight of its Heart X1 aircraft. It is the largest aircraft of this type in the world; the production version, known as ES-30, is designed to carry up to 30 passengers. This time, the plane stayed in the air for 27 minutes, operating entirely on electric power throughout. Its manufacturer estimates the cost of “fuel,” or energy, at around $5, equivalent to just under 19 zlotys. For a flight of nearly half an hour!

Heart X1 after the first flight

The announcement states that the aircraft was piloted, which is in itself evidence of advanced technology (source). For less reliable aerial vehicles, remote control is simply used to avoid unnecessarily exposing humans. The flight took place under an experimental authorization (SAC-EC), there were no passengers on board, and takeoff and landing occurred at the same airport. However, the aircraft’s ability to lift off, perform several maneuvers, and taxi on the ground was tested.

Heart Aerospace claims that the X1 propulsion system was able to achieve a power output of over 1 MW (1,000 kW). The aircraft operated in pure electric mode for 27 minutes, although combustion engines are also planned to be installed on the ES-30, allowing it to fly in conventional turboprop mode. The maximum altitude reached was 1,100 feet above ground level (AGL, approximately 335 meters). The total energy cost was $5, likely due to the use of its own solar power installation. For comparison, around the time of the experiment, 1 gallon (~4.5 liters) of fuel cost $3.50.

Heart X1 is a full-scale prototype based on which the hybrid-electric passenger aircraft, Heart ES-30, is intended to be developed. The X1 measures 23.2 meters in length, 32.3 meters in wingspan, 7.3 meters in height, with a total takeoff weight of over 11.34 tons. It can reach speeds of 259 km/h and is expected to climb to an altitude of 610 meters above ground level (source). The first flight of the production version, Heart ES-30, is scheduled for 2028, with commercial operation planned to begin in 2031.

Heart Aerospace estimates that thanks to its electric operation mode, it will reduce operating costs by more than 40 percent compared to conventional aircraft.

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