Aircraft
U.S. Start-up Nimbus Flies Electric Bizjet Demonstrator
N1000-XSS1 technology demonstrator achieves first test flight
Nimbus Aerospace's N1000-XSS1 technology demonstrator aircraft completed its first flight test on Dec. 4, 2024.
Nimbus Aerospace's N1000-XSS1 technology demonstrator aircraft completed its first flight test on December 4.

Nimbus Aerospace, a U.S. start-up planning to introduce an electric business jet, has flown a one-tenth-scale demonstrator aircraft for the first time. The Seattle-based company is targeting a range of about 1,000 nm for the six-passenger N1000 aircraft, which it said could enter service in 2032.

According to Nimbus, the 1-minute 23-second test flight on December 4 validated its proprietary airframe design and distributed electric propulsion system, which uses ducted fans mounted on top of a fixed wing. The company said it built the demonstrator in less than a month using bespoke and off-the-shelf components.