Series hybrid-electric conventional-takeoff regional airliner: two propellers, each driven by a 1.65 MW electric motor, with batteries and megawatt-class turbogenerators supplying electrical power. The ES-36 replaced the four-propeller ES-30 design in September 2026.
Propulsion Unit Count
2
Redundancy Approach
Two independent series-hybrid powertrains in a conventional twin layout. Certification-level electrical and propulsion redundancy detail is not public.
Range / Speed
Manufacturer-published: 200 km (125 mi) all-electric range and 1,200 km (745 mi) hybrid range, both with reserves; 36 passengers; 8,492 lb maximum payload. First flight of a pre-production aircraft targeted for H2 2028; Part 25 certification targeted for 2031.
Seat Count
36
Last Updated
September 23, 2026
On 23 September 2026 Heart replaced the ES-30 with the ES-36, a 36-seat series hybrid with two 1.65 MW motors instead of four propellers, at the same MTOW and battery capacity. JSX converted its letter of intent into a deposit-backed order for 50 aircraft plus 50 purchase rights. The full-scale X1 battery-electric demonstrator, built around the ES-30 program, first flew on 12 August 2026. Part 25 certification and entry into service remain targeted for 2031.
Define the ES-36 production configuration and turbogenerator, carry X1 test lessons into the two-propeller design, fly the pre-production aircraft in H2 2028 and progress the FAA Part 25 program.
Heart ES-36 is a clean-sheet 36-seat series hybrid-electric regional aircraft that replaced the ES-30 in September 2026. Heart publishes 200 km all-electric range and 1,200 km hybrid range with reserves, a 29 m (95 ft) wingspan and a 2031 certification target.
The full-scale X1 demonstrator supports the program but is not the ES-36 certification aircraft, and it was built around the earlier ES-30 configuration.
The ES-36 uses two propellers, each driven by a 1.65 MW electric motor in a series-hybrid powertrain with a megawatt-class turbogenerator. Heart says moving from the ES-30's four propellers to two reduces drag, simplifies hybrid integration, shrinks the wing and lowers maintenance cost. The turbogenerator supplier and certification-level system architecture have not been published.
The 3D explorer on PropulsionWatch currently shows the earlier four-propeller ES-30 geometry.
On 12 August 2026 Heart's X1 full-scale battery-electric demonstrator flew for 27 minutes from Plattsburgh International Airport under an FAA Experimental-category special airworthiness certificate. On 23 September 2026 Heart unveiled the ES-36 as its production design, with a pre-production first flight targeted for the second half of 2028.
JSX has a deposit-backed order for 50 ES-36 aircraft with purchase rights for 50 more, for routes including Santa Monica, Westchester County, Naples and Napa Valley. Earlier ES-30 commitments from United Airlines and Air Canada had not been publicly restated for the ES-36 as of 23 September 2026.
Demonstrator flight is not type certification. Remaining dependencies include defining and qualifying the two-propeller hybrid-electric powertrain and turbogenerator, FAA Part 25 compliance, conforming aircraft, production approval and airline operating integration. A 2028 first flight leaves a short window before the 2031 certification target.
ES-36 unveiling — 23 Sep 2026: 36 seats, two 1.65 MW motors, 200/1,200 km range, H2 2028 first flight, 2031 certification target and JSX order. FLYING; Aviacionline; Heart product page.
Heart Aerospace — 13 Aug 2026: X1 first flight and FAA Experimental-category authorization. Source.
September 23, 2026
