Overview
- The X1 demonstrator completed a piloted 27-minute test flight on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, reaching about 1,100 feet AGL and delivering more than one megawatt of all-electric propulsion under an FAA Special Airworthiness Certificate in the Experimental Category.
- Heart says the aircraft is the largest battery-electric plane flown to date, with a 106-foot wingspan, roughly 76 feet in length, and a takeoff weight above 25,000 pounds for the test.
- Heart built the X1 as a technology validator for the ES-30; the company is assembling a pre-production ES-30 in Los Angeles, plans flight testing in 2028, and targets entry into service in 2031 while noting those dates remain company goals and subject to program risk.
- The company highlighted operating-cost benefits by reporting the X1 used roughly $5 of electricity for the flight and projecting the ES-30 could cut aircraft operating costs by about 40% versus legacy regional types through lower energy and maintenance costs.
- Next steps include using flight data from X1 to refine propulsion, systems and flight characteristics ahead of FAA Part 25 certification work, and Heart’s stated airline commitments from United, Air Canada and JSX support its commercial intent for regional routes if battery and certification challenges are resolved.