Heart Aerospace Explained

Heart Aerospace
Type:Private
Industry:Aircraft manufacturing
Hq Location:Gothenburg
Hq Location Country:Sweden
Num Employees:130
Num Employees Year:2022

Heart Aerospace is a Swedish startup company developing electric aircraft for regional travel. Their flagship project, the ES-30, represents a significant advancement in environmentally friendly air travel. This 30-passenger regional airliner is designed with a fully electric range of 108 nautical miles and an extended range of 215 nautical miles when utilizing generators powered by aviation biofuel. The aircraft's versatility allows for a potential range of 430 nautical miles if the passenger load is reduced to 25. Heart Aerospace aims to showcase a proof-of-concept aircraft by 2024, initiate flight tests in 2026, and achieve entry into service by 2028. The ES-30 will feature the Garmin G3000 avionics suite, customized to manage the aircraft's advanced electrical systems.

Product

The company is developing the ES-30, a hybrid-electric 30-passenger regional airliner.[1] The ES-30 is planned to have a fully electric range of 108nmi or a range when also using generators powered by aviation biofuel. A range of could be possible if only 25 passengers are carried. Heart plans to have a proof-of-concept aircraft in 2024 and start flight tests in 2026, with an entry into service in 2028. The Garmin G3000 avionics suite will be installed with custom functions related to managing the aircraft's electrical systems.[2]

History

In March 2021, Heart signed a letter of intent with Finnair which would allow the airline to purchase up to 20 ES-19 aircraft.[3] In July 2021, United Airlines announced their intention to purchase up to 200 ES-19 aircraft to be operated on United Express routes by Mesa Airlines.[4] In September 2020, Sounds Air of New Zealand signed a letter of intent to purchase ES-19 aircraft.[5] In September 2022, Heart Aerospace cancelled their plans for the ES-19 to focus on the ES-30, and stated their intention to convert existing ES-19 commitments to the ES-30.[6]

In September 2022, Air Canada acquired a equity stake in Heart as part of a purchase agreement for 30 ES-30 aircraft, which are expected to enter service in 2028.[7] United Airlines, Sounds Air and Mesa Airlines reconfirmed their interest in the ES-30. Heart Aerospace also has letters of intent from Braathens Regional Airlines, Icelandair and SAS for a total of 96 aircraft, 6 units with Sevenair, and an additional 40 units for lessor Rockton.

By May 2024, the ES-30 had undergone substantial redesigns, opting for a combination of electric motors and standard turboprops, such as the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6, and eliminating the large under-fuselage battery bay and strut bracing, while maintaining payload-range goals.With 250 orders, 120 options, and 191 letters of intent, Heart Aerospace plans to have an uncrewed demonstrator fly in 2025 in the Los Angeles area, with a piloted prototype's first flight expected in 2026.[8]

Investors

Heart Aerospace's investor base predominantly comprises airlines, with notable contributions from other sectors. Key investors include:

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Perry . Dominic . Gothenburg . 26 September 2022 . Heart Aerospace's scaled-up ES-30 ambitions get airline backing . 6 November 2022 . Flight Global . en.
  2. News: O'Connor . Kate . 9 December 2021 . Garmin G3000 Selected For ES-19 Electric Airliner . AVweb . 10 December 2021.
  3. Web site: Niknam . Majid . 25 March 2021 . Finnair to Increase Beat of Heart Aerospace . 16 July 2021 . Airways Magazine.
  4. News: Lampert . Allison . 13 July 2021 . United Airlines to buy 100, 19-seat electric planes from Heart Aerospace . Reuters . 16 July 2021.
  5. Web site: 28 September 2020 . Sounds Air aims to offer first regional zero-emission flights . 17 August 2021 . . en-nz.
  6. Web site: 26 September 2022 . Heart Aerospace's scaled-up ES-30 ambitions . FlightGlobal.
  7. News: Dyck . Darryl . 15 September 2022 . Air Canada signs deal to buy 30 electric-hybrid aircraft from Heart Aerospace . Canadian Press . 15 September 2022.
  8. News: Heart reveals ES-30 redesign as it switches to off-the-shelf hybrid powertrain . Dominic Perry . 15 May 2024 . FlightGlobal.