Heart Aerospace ES-30: Comprehensive Flight Guide for MSFS 2024

It includes startup procedures, detailed flight phases, system management, and power operations.

1. Aircraft Overview

General Specifications

  • Type: Hybrid-electric regional airliner.
  • Capacity: 30 passengers.
  • Powerplant:
    • Four electric motors for propulsion.
    • Two turbogenerators for range extension and energy generation in hybrid mode.
  • Performance:
    • Range (Electric-Only): ~200 km (~124 miles).
    • Range (Hybrid Mode): ~400 km (~249 miles).
  • Design Features:
    • Quiet operation.
    • Eco-friendly hybrid-electric propulsion.
    • Designed for short-haul regional operations.

Key Considerations

  • Takeoff Power: The electric motors alone cannot reliably generate enough thrust for a full takeoff under heavier payloads in MSFS2024. Hybrid mode is required for all standard takeoff operations.
  • Electric Efficiency: Best used for cruise and descent phases where lower power is sufficient.

4. Taxiing

  • Mode: Electric-Only.
  • Procedure:
    • Use low thrust settings to conserve battery charge.
    • Monitor power flow to ensure efficient energy usage.
  • Considerations:
    • Avoid unnecessary stop-and-go to minimize energy draw.

5. Takeoff

Takeoff Procedure (Hybrid Mode)

  1. Throttle Configuration:
  • Advance throttles to maximum for hybrid power.
  1. V-Speeds:
  • V1: ~95 knots IAS (decision speed).
  • VR: ~100 knots IAS (rotation speed).
  • V2: ~110 knots IAS (takeoff safety speed).
  1. Climb Phase:
  • Maintain V2+10 (~120 knots IAS) until reaching a safe altitude (~400 ft AGL).
  • Retract Flaps 2 → Flaps 1 at ~140 knots IAS.
  • Retract Flaps 1 → Up at ~160 knots IAS.

Electric-Only Takeoff (bearly feasible):

  • Recommended for light/empty payloads and longer runways.
  • Performance may limit climb rate and takeoff weight.

6. Climb

Hybrid Mode Climb:

  1. Initial Climb:
  • Climb rate: ~1,500 ft/min.
  • Speed: Maintain ~180 knots IAS after flap retraction.
  1. Cruise Climb Transition:
  • Reduce climb rate to ~1,000 ft/min as you approach FL100–FL150.
  • Transition to electric-only mode at cruise altitude if battery levels allow.

7. Cruise

  • Optimal Altitude: FL100–FL150.
  • Cruise Speed: ~180 knots IAS (~200 knots TAS at FL150).
  • Power Mode:
    • Electric-Only: For routes under 200 km.
    • Hybrid Mode: For routes exceeding 200 km to ensure range.
  • System Monitoring:
    • Check battery charge and turbogenerator fuel levels.
    • Adjust power settings for efficiency.

8. Descent

Descent Planning:

  • Calculate TOD:
    TOD = Altitude to Lose ÷ 300 x 100.
  • Example: For 10,000 ft descent, start ~33 NM from the destination.

Descent Procedure:

  1. Initial Descent:
  • Rate: ~1,500 ft/min.
  • Speed: ~230 knots IAS.
  1. Intermediate Descent:
  • Rate: ~1,000 ft/min.
  • Speed: ~230 knots IAS.
  1. Below FL100:
  • Rate: ~800 ft/min.
  • Speed: ~200 knots IAS.

9. Approach and Landing

Approach Configuration:

  • Flaps and Speeds:
    • Flaps 1: ~160 knots IAS.
    • Flaps 2: ~140 knots IAS.
    • Full Flaps: ~120 knots IAS.
  • Landing Speed (Vapp): ~110 knots IAS.

Landing Procedure:

  1. Final Descent:
  • Maintain a stable approach path.
  1. Touchdown:
  • Speed: ~105 knots IAS.
  • Apply minimal braking to conserve energy.
  1. Taxi to Gate:
  • Use electric-only power.

10. Post-Flight Operations

  1. Shutdown:
  • Disarm electric motors.
  • Turn off turbogenerators if used.
  1. Battery Recharge:
  • Connect the aircraft to ground power immediately.
  1. System Checks:
  • Review energy consumption and performance logs.

11. Operational Notes

Energy Management:

  • Hybrid Mode: Use for takeoff, climb, and emergencies.
  • Electric-Only: Maximize during cruise and taxi phases.

Weight and Performance:

  • Adjust for payload and fuel to optimise range and climb performance.

12. Example Routes

Electric-Only Flights: If take-off weight allows

  1. Sydney (YSSY) → Newcastle (YWLM): ~117 km (~63 NM).
  2. Brisbane (YBBN) → Toowoomba (YBWW): ~125 km (~78 NM).

Hybrid Takeoff Flights:

  1. Melbourne (YMML) → Bendigo (YBDG): ~116 km (~72 NM).
  2. Adelaide (YPAD) → Port Lincoln (YPLC): ~250 km (~135 NM).