Heart Aerospace Received $2.9 Million FAA Grant

The funding supports the development of a hybrid-electric propulsion system for the 36-seat ES-36 aircraft.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Electric Vehicles

Heart Aerospace Received $2.9 Million FAA Grant

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The FAA awarded Heart Aerospace a $2.9 million grant to advance a hybrid-electric propulsion system for its upcoming ES-36 regional aircraft. Heart Aerospace has committed to an equal $2.9 million contribution, bringing the total project investment to $5.8 million.

Why it matters

This development project aims to significantly reduce fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and noise in regional air travel. It represents a key step toward integrating megawatt-class turbogenerators with battery power to improve aircraft efficiency.

The 24-month project funds a megawatt-class turbogenerator to supplement batteries in the 36-seat ES-36 aircraft. The plane is designed to achieve a 125-mile all-electric range.

The players

Heart Aerospace

An aerospace manufacturer focused on the development of electric and hybrid-electric regional aircraft.

Federal Aviation Administration

The national aviation authority responsible for the regulation and safety of all civil aviation in the United States.

JSX

A public charter airline operator that has signed a purchase agreement for 50 units of the ES-36 aircraft.

The details

The project centers on the development of a turbogenerator located within each nacelle to extend the utility of the aircraft beyond its all-electric capacity. Initial testing phases focus on the integration of these generators with existing battery and electric motor systems.

September 2026: Heart Aerospace unveiled the ES-36 aircraft.
October 12, 2026: The FAA announced the grant award for the propulsion project.
2028: Scheduled flight demonstrations for the ES-36.
2031: Targeted entry into service for the ES-36.

Roadmap

This project aligns with the industry-wide transition toward hybrid-electric propulsion as a bridge to sustainable aviation. It positions Heart Aerospace to compete in the emerging market for regional aircraft by reducing operational dependency on traditional jet fuel.

Travelers may see more environmentally friendly regional air options if the ES-36 enters service as scheduled in 2031. The advancement of this technology is designed to lower the overall costs associated with regional aviation operations.

The takeaway

The investment underscores the growing importance of hybrid-electric solutions in modernizing short-haul aviation. Reducing the reliance on pure jet propulsion is a critical step for manufacturers aiming to meet future environmental efficiency standards.