Heart Aerospace has announced that Plattsburgh International Airport in New York will host the inaugural flight of its all-electric Heart-X1 (H-X1) demonstrator, scheduled for the second quarter of 2025.

This decision marks a key step toward realizing the company’s vision for electric aviation. The full-scale H-X1 demonstrator, featuring a 32-meter wingspan, was unveiled in September 2024, with the company expressing its ambition to fly the aircraft the following year. Plattsburgh was chosen for its expansive airfield infrastructure, low air traffic density, and strong regional support for transportation technology innovation. The aircraft is set to be transported to the site in early 2025.

Currently stationed at Heart’s Gothenburg, Sweden headquarters, the H-X1 is undergoing rigorous testing of critical systems in preparation for its historic all-electric flight. Heart Aerospace co-founder and CEO Anders Forslund highlighted the team’s achievement: “It is a testament to the ingenuity and dedication of our team that we’ve been able to roll out a 30-seat aircraft demonstrator with a brand-new propulsion system, largely in-house, in less than two years.”

Advancing Electric Aviation with the HX-2 and ES-30

Following the H-X1, Heart Aerospace plans to develop a second pre-production model, the HX-2, which will further refine the company’s design and production techniques. The HX-2 is slated for a hybrid-electric first flight in 2026.

The initial flight campaign of the H-X1 will play a pivotal role in validating Heart’s electric propulsion technology, shaping the development of its flagship project, the ES-30 hybrid-electric regional airliner. The ES-30 is designed to accommodate 30 passengers with an all-electric range of 200 km and an extended hybrid range of 400 km. Certification for the ES-30 is targeted by the end of the decade.

Pioneering Regional Air Mobility

Forslund emphasized the potential of electric aviation to transform regional air travel: “Electric commercial airplanes have the potential to lower operating costs for US airlines, creating a powerful opportunity to re-establish regional air routes. We’re impressed by the leadership shown by New York’s North Country region in supporting the next generation of airplanes.”

Heart Aerospace’s commitment to innovation and sustainability positions it as a leader in the push for greener, more efficient regional air travel. The upcoming inaugural flight at Plattsburgh International Airport represents a significant milestone in this journey.