First flight of electric Scaled Flight Demonstrator

On the 2nd of May 2024, a scaled version of a large passenger aircraft with distributed electric propulsion undertook its maiden flight. Further testing will follow to qualify and measure its dynamic flying behaviour, aimed at understanding the advantages of this Distributed Electric Propulsion technology for large passenger aircraft. The objective of the project was to reach 20% of block fuel reduction for the full-scale aircraft combining a cruise speed reduction with the associated straight wing and the use of distributed electric propulsion.