Heart Aerospace, Honeywell to collaborate on flight controls for ES-30 electric airplane

Heart Aerospace and Honeywell announced a collaboration to integrate Honeywell’s next-generation flight control system into the new ES-30 regional electric airplane. Honeywell was selected by Heart Aerospace for the Joint Definition Phase of Heart’s ES-30 airplane, and the goal, once the phase has been completed successfully, is to fully integrate Honeywell’s compact Fly-by-Wire system into development for production. Honeywell’s next-generation compact Fly-by-Wire system is in an advanced stage of development on multiple aircraft, and its functions are adaptable to the ES-30, allowing Heart to bring its airplane to market quickly and cost-effectively. 

Anders Forslund, co-founder and CEO of Heart Aerospace, commented: “We are thrilled to welcome Honeywell to the ES-30 program. With its long track record in flight controls, they are an ideal collaboration partner for Heart Aerospace as we strive to decarbonize air travel before the end of this decade.”

Vipul Gupta, President, Electronic Solutions, Honeywell Aerospace, said: “Honeywell’s flight controls provide the ideal solution for Heart’s mission to revitalize and electrify the regional transport market. Honeywell’s all-electric compact Fly-by-Wire is a ready-now solution based on decades of flight control experience in all aircraft types, and that reduces development time and risk for Heart.” 

The ES-30 is a regional electric airplane with a 30-passenger standard seating capacity and is driven by electric motors powered by batteries. It will have a fully electric zero-emissions range of 200 kilometers, an extended hybrid range of 400 kilometers with 30 passengers, and flexibility to fly up to 800 kilometers with 25 passengers, all with typical airline reserves. Heart Aerospace has 250 firm orders for the ES-30, with options and purchase rights for an additional 120 planes.