Heart Aerospace to conduct first test flight in US next year

Swedish hybrid-electric aircraft maker Heart Aerospace is planning to fly its demonstrator aircraft at New York’s Plattsburgh International Airport in 2025. 

The test flight will be the first fully electric experimental flight of its demonstrator, aka Heart Experimental 1 (Heart X1), according to developers. The initial demonstrator flight is designed to validate the capabilities of Heart’s electric propulsion technology, they added.

Mark Henry, Clinton County Legislature Chairman said: “Heart Aerospace’s decision to conduct its fully electric experimental flight from Plattsburgh International Airport reflects Clinton County’s strong commitment to advancing next-generation transportation technologies.

“Clinton County is strengthening its position as a transportation manufacturing cluster, and we are excited to be part of Heart’s journey and the growing sustainable aerospace community in upstate New York.”

The Heart X1 is currently undergoing extensive tests of critical systems and the company plans to bring it to Plattsburgh International in early 2025.

Heart Aerospace’s co-founder and CEO Anders Forslund added: “Electric commercial airplanes have the potential to lower operating costs for US airlines, creating a powerful opportunity to reestablish regional air routes that stimulate local economies, boost tourism, and enhance access to urban hubs. We’re impressed by the leadership shown by New York’s North Country region in the support of next generation airplanes.”