The largest electric aircraft just flew [video]

Post by rotringlvr » Thu, Sep 03, 2026, 10:25 PM UTC

newsclues wrote: post #37

Gibbon1 wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are maybe some advantages to a hybrid system. The higher reliability of electric. Losing an turbine engine doesn't mean asymmetrical thrust. Plane still flies normally. Losing an engine on takeoff you still have full power. Electric motors spin up faster than turbines. Which means faster throttle response. Which you need when hit with a wind shear on landing. Take off and landing under electric power means much…

I’ve been tinkering with the idea of a hybrid system where the ICE system is its own bolt on component to an electric aircraft that is used for takeoff and altitude before it detaches and returns to the airfield before the aircraft cruiser on electric power. Could even have a rocket launch version for cargo

Post by torginus » Thu, Sep 03, 2026, 10:26 PM UTC

QuantumNoodle wrote: post #32

These kind of startup excite me. More so than the "next killer app" or "look what we shoved AI into." Cheap electric transportation can finally offset USA's lacking rail commutes and attack Europe's short flight market (which is already cheap). Now we need bigger planes or more frequent planes and the next startup to solve the energy needs.

Post by hmokiguess » Thu, Sep 03, 2026, 10:29 PM UTC

dghlsakjg wrote: post #67

feb wrote: post #2

Heart Aerospace (YC W19) just flew the largest electric airplane ever flown — a 100-foot wingspan, a takeoff weight of 25,000 pounds, and $5 of electricity to get it off the ground.

Nit: When they did the actual flight I did the math on the $5 worth of power claim, and it just doesn’t pencil out even at the lowest power rates in North America. Just to illustrate: at $.05 per kWh (which is less than half the price of electricity where they flew), you get 100kwh for $5. 100kw is what it takes to takeoff a 1200 pound Cessna. Probably about 75kw for an efficient cruise in that same plane. Still an i…

Post by rbanffy » Thu, Sep 03, 2026, 10:32 PM UTC

woods42 wrote: post #55

mmcconnell1618 wrote: post #11

Interesting decision to build the whole aircraft instead of the propulsion system only. I wonder what the decision process was between retrofit of existing turboprop frame vs. build from the ground up? I would expect the level of effort and certification to be much higher building from scratch even though you get complete control.

I think an interesting aspect is that on normal aircraft fuel tanks have to be near the center of lift to maintain weight and balance as fuel is burned off. When using batteries, this is not really a concern, and I would think might lead to some more interesting designs. To be sure, if there is space in the wing, awesome - the batteries can now also be used as ballast though too if required.

Post by solfox » Thu, Sep 03, 2026, 10:40 PM UTC

feb wrote: post #2

Heart Aerospace (YC W19) just flew the largest electric airplane ever flown — a 100-foot wingspan, a takeoff weight of 25,000 pounds, and $5 of electricity to get it off the ground.