On September 12, 2024, Swedish startup Heart Aerospace held its “Hangar Day” in Gothenburg, Sweden, where it publicly exhibited its new X1 full scale hybrid-electric aircraft demonstrator for the first time.
This event brought together Heart Aerospace’s partners and investors, as well as media and government representatives (including Sweden’s Minister for Infrastructure, Andreas Carlsson, who addressed the attendees) and served as a forum to present an update on the company’s flagship ES-30 aircraft program.
This included announcements that the company has filed a patent application for a new nacelle integration design, as well as successfully completing the ground support procedure tests for hybrid-electric aircraft operation. The tests had been conducted jointly with Swedish airport operator Swedavia and regional airline BRA.
Heart Aerospace also confirmed that it is continuing to expand its geographical footprint and its already considerable portfolio of airline partners with the announcement that AirAsia, one of Asia’s largest airline groups, is joining its advisory board.
But the highlight of Hangar Day was the unveiling of the X1 demonstrator aircraft, which was showcased publicly before being shipped to the United States for the next stage of Heart Aerospace’s development program at the company’s new research and development center in California.
AeroTime was given an up-close look at the X1 and a tour of its cabin and cockpit, as well as an opportunity to talk onsite with Heart Aerospace’s co-founder and CEO, Anders Forslund. The Swedish entrepreneur shared some first-hand insights about the current status of the ES-30 hybrid-electric aircraft program and the challenges and milestones that lie ahead.
Watch the video below to find out more.
