World's largest battery-electric aircraft completes historic first flight in Plattsburgh

PLATTSBURGH | On Thursday, Clinton County celebrated Heart Aerospace's announcement that the Heart X1 demonstrator successfully completed its historic first flight at Plattsburgh International Airport. Spanning 106 feet, measuring 76 feet nose to tail and weighing more than 25,000 pounds at takeoff, the X1 is the largest battery-electric aircraft ever flown. The milestone places Plattsburgh and Clinton County at the center of a significant moment in the evolution of electric aviation. The piloted mission Wednesday lasted 27 minutes, reached an altitude of 1,100 feet above ground level and demonstrated more than one megawatt of power from the X1's all-electric propulsion system. Powered entirely by batteries, the aircraft used approximately $5 worth of electricity during its first flight. The mission included taxi, takeoff, climb, maneuvering and landing, demonstrating all-electric flight at a scale relevant to commercial airline operations. Heart Aerospace selected Plattsburgh International Airport for the X1 program because of its extensive airfield infrastructure, 11,750-foot concrete runway, relatively low air-traffic density and location within the North Country's growing cluster of transportation and aerospace innovators. "Today, the eyes of the aviation world are on Clinton County, New York," said Clinton County Legislature Chairperson Mark R. Henry (Area 3-R, Chazy). "The first flight of the largest battery-electric aircraft in history is an extraordinary achievement for Heart Aerospace and a tremendous source of pride for Clinton County. This milestone shows that our airport is more than a transportation asset. It is a place where the future of aviation is being developed, tested and proven." The flight was conducted under an FAA Special Airworthiness Certificate in the Experimental Category. Before receiving authorization to begin piloted flight testing, the X1 underwent an extensive ground-testing program that included structural, propulsion and systems testing, as well as low- and high-speed taxi tests. "This is an exciting moment for Heart Aerospace and for Clinton County," said Clinton County Legislature Airport Committee Chairperson David G. Bezio (Area 4-D, Plattsburgh). "A great deal of work and coordination went into preparing for this flight, and I want to recognize the Heart Aerospace team, our airport staff and everyone who helped make it possible. Having a milestone of this significance take place here demonstrates the value of Plattsburgh International Airport and the opportunities it can bring to our community." The X1 is a full-scale demonstrator representative of Heart's ES-30 production aircraft. It was developed to validate key technologies, aerodynamics and flight performance, as well as Heart's organizational capabilities to design, build, test and operate an electric commercial aircraft. Heart established its X1 flight-test base at Plattsburgh International Airport as the company advanced the aircraft through ground testing, FAA review and final flight preparations. "Supporting an experimental flight program of this scale requires tremendous coordination, professionalism and attention to safety," said Plattsburgh International Airport Director Patrick Sharrow. "Our airport team has been proud to work alongside Heart Aerospace and its flight-test team throughout this process. Seeing the X1 take flight from Plattsburgh International Airport is an unforgettable moment and a powerful demonstration of what this facility is capable of supporting. With additional hangar, industrial and testing space available, we are well positioned to support other companies working to build the future of aviation." The milestone further establishes Clinton County as a destination for next-generation aviation and transportation technology. Heart Aerospace joins a growing group of innovative companies and institutions utilizing the region's infrastructure, workforce and strategic proximity to major United States and Canadian markets. "This is exactly the kind of opportunity we envisioned as we worked to build Clinton County's reputation as a hub for advanced transportation and sustainable aviation," said Molly Ryan, Executive Director of the County of Clinton Industrial Development Agency and Clinton County Director of Economic Development. "Heart Aerospace could have chosen locations around the world for this milestone, and the fact that this historic flight took place in Plattsburgh speaks volumes about our airport, our regional assets and the relationships that made it possible. We are also developing the talent aviation companies need through programs such as Clinton Community College's Mechanical Technology A.A.S. degree, helping ensure that companies locating here have access to both world-class infrastructure and a skilled workforce. Our goal now is to build upon this achievement, support Heart's continued success and ensure that today's global attention creates additional opportunities for Clinton County." Heart Aerospace is developing the ES-30, a conventional fixed-wing, 30-seat hybrid-electric regional airliner, for FAA Part 25 certification. The company is targeting entry into service in 2031 and has received customer commitments from major air carriers including United Airlines, Air Canada and JSX.

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World's largest battery-electric aircraft completes historic first flight in Plattsburgh

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