The X1 demonstrator from Sweden's Heart Aerospace has been given the go-ahead for test flights by the FAA. With a wingspan of 106 feet and a fuselage length of 76 feet, the Heart X1 is set to become the largest electric aircraft ever flown and it will serve as a flying test for new green technology. The aircraft is a hybrid-electric plane designed to carry up to 30 passengers on short-haul regional flights. It’s equipped with two inboard electric motors and two outboard turboprop engines, meaning it can run on pure battery power, sustainable aviation fuel, or a mixture of both. That not only lowers operating costs but also reduces carbon emissions. The Heart X1 has an all-electric range of 124 miles and an extended hybrid range of up to 497 miles. It can also be fully recharged in about 30 minutes and land on short runways measuring just 3,600 feet. With that relatively short range and its limited seating capacity, Heart isn't looking to replace major airliners. Instead, the focus is on connecting smaller "pocket airports" with roughly two acres of space in under-served communities. The X1 is currently undergoing final preparations for its first flight in New York and is expected to hit the skies in the next few days.
