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JSX has placed deposits on an initial 50 redesigned 36-seat Heart ES-36 hybrid-electric regional airliners.
Startup Heart Aerospace has unveiled a substantial redesign of its planned electric regional aircraft and a deposit-backed purchase agreement from JSX for an initial 50 aircraft, with purchase rights for another 50.
The production ES-36 now seats 36 passengers, up from 30 in the previous design, and features a pair of series-hybrid electric propulsion systems. The prior ES-30 design had an independent parallel-hybrid architecture, with two turboprops and two electric motors housed in four nacelles. Wing span is reduced by 11 ft. to 95 ft.
According to Heart, the latest redesign increases payload by 20% for the same maximum takeoff weight and battery capacity, adding six seats and 1,415 lb. of payload, while the simpler propulsion system reduces maintenance costs.
Powered by two 1.65-megawatt electric motors, the ES-36 has an all-electric range of 125 mi. plus reserves on ground-charged batteries. Hybrid propulsion using jet fuel increases range to 745 mi. plus reserves.
Each of the two powertrains includes a megawatt-class turbogenerator, based on a commercially available gas turbine, which generates electricity in flight to supplement the batteries and power the motor.
The ES-36 is the latest of several redesigns by Heart, which began in 2018 with the 19-seat, all-electric ES-19. The latest iteration incorporates lessons from the X1 full-scale demonstrator, which flew on Aug. 12 powered by four electric motors.
“The ES-36 design is a direct result of what Heart learned designing, building and flying our X1 demonstrator aircraft,” Heart CTO Ben Stabler said. “The ES-36 carries more passengers and payload, creating greater revenue-generating potential for operators like JSX, while targeting operating costs at least 40% lower than legacy regional aircraft.”
The agreement with public charter carrier JSX converts a 2023 letter of intent into a deposit-backed purchase agreement that secures early delivery positions. JSX provides regional flights between private terminals at smaller airports using Embraer ERJs and ATR 72s. “The hybrid-electric ES-36 will enable more non-stop routes from more convenient airports,” JSX CEO Alex Wilcox said.
Founded in Sweden, Heart is building the first pre-production ES-36 at its pilot manufacturing plant in Los Angeles, targeting first flight in the second half of 2028. FAA Part 25 transport-category certification and entry into service is planned for 2031. In addition to JSX, the startup has commitments from United Airlines and Air Canada.
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