The largest electric aircraft just flew [video]

The noise wouldn't be significantly lower during takeoff/landing, only during taxi, right? Good for workers on the tarmac, but doesn't get rid of the largest noise pollution issue.

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.

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.

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.

This is awesome! More of this in YC and less Flock's.

Thought this was a great watch, as a first time founder myself!

the concept of electric motors with ultimate "any" fuel flexibility for generators is definitely the future

then we are not tied to global fuel politics

and maybe airports will become far less toxic with leaded fuel finally being completely eliminated

(and there is a Ycombinator video channel? never knew)

From the video:

Range: 125 miles all electric

       500 miles with hybrid system (electric + conventional turbo prop)

> It's the first clean sheet airliner to be flown in any category, electric or not, uh, in the US in in the last 18 years.

Uh, what about the Bombardier C-series (A220)?

Hope it's accurate. Sounds good to be true.

The interior of the plane is clearly designed by an engineer. They stripped everything down to save weight, passenger comfort be dammed. The seats don't even look comfortable.

They need to hire an actual designer, if the plane weighs 0.5% more but has actual human usability that's worth it.