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A sleek, nearly silent two-seater aircraft is zipping its way across the United States — and it’s not running on a drop of fuel. It’s the B23 Energic, an all-electric airplane from Swiss aviation company H55, and it’s in the middle of a months-long tour called H55 Across America. The goal? Prove that electric flight isn’t a futuristic fantasy — it’s already here, and ready to go mainstream.
From Solar Impulse To The Skies Of America
H55 is no stranger to pushing boundaries. Born out of the Solar Impulse project — the same team that flew a solar-powered plane around the world — the company is now betting big on electric propulsion. But this time, the plane isn’t just for show. The B23 Energic is a real product with real customers lined up, and the tour is about making sure people can see it, hear it (or barely hear it), and fly it.
“We pioneered electric aviation with Solar Impulse, crossing the U.S. in 2016 during our flight around the world,” says André Borschberg, H55 Co-Founder and Executive Chairman. “Now we’re back — not with a prototype, but with an aircraft to be commercialized, with deliveries starting next year. The B23 Energic is bringing electric flight to pilot training and general aviation.”
Coast-to-Coast, Plugged In
The tour kicked off in early April at the SUN ’n FUN Aerospace Expo in Florida and will stretch through August, making stops in key aviation hotspots like Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Wisconsin, and New York. Along the way, H55 is offering test flights, live demos, and open access to engineers, pilots, and tech experts behind the plane.
Kristen Jurn, H55’s US Sales Manager (and a pilot herself), says the company is focused on getting people into the cockpit — especially those who train pilots.
“Aviation is at a turning point,” said Jurn. “Electrification isn’t coming — it’s here. This tour is about more than showcasing an aircraft. It’s about proving electric aviation is ready for scale. As a pilot, I believe the US market, known for embracing innovation, will respond strongly to a solution that delivers both performance and efficiency.”
Meet The B23 Energic
Built on the Bristell B23 airframe, the B23 Energic is powered entirely by H55’s electric propulsion and battery systems. It’s designed for short flights — ideal for pilot training or local hops — with about one hour of flight time and the same for a full recharge. It climbs fast (up to 800 feet per minute), carries two people, and weighs in at just under 850 kilograms at takeoff.
But the real appeal is what it doesn’t do: it doesn’t guzzle gas, doesn’t need complex maintenance, and doesn’t make much noise. Compared to a traditional combustion-engine trainer, it’s a breath of fresh air — literally.
It’s also cheaper to run. No fuel means lower operating costs, and electric motors have far fewer moving parts than gas engines, which reduces maintenance needs. Plus, for flight schools dealing with noise complaints in busy areas, a whisper-quiet electric plane is a game-changer.
A Tour With A Mission
This isn’t just a PR stunt. H55 is using the tour to engage with regulators, airport managers, government officials, and aviation enthusiasts. At each stop, they’re hosting discussions about infrastructure, charging networks, certification, and how electric planes fit into the future of general aviation.
They’re also linking up with universities and flight academies to get the next generation of pilots comfortable with the tech.
“The B23 Energic represents a fundamental shift in how we think about aviation,” said Martin Larose, CEO of H55. “Electric flight is no longer a future concept; it’s a certified, operational solution ready to deliver real value today. What sets H55 apart is our integrated approach: we don’t just build propulsion systems, we deliver a complete electric aviation ecosystem—from energy storage and performance optimization to certification support”. While we started with general aviation, H55 is now expanding its reach with customer applications in regional air moblity and commercial aviation.”
Certification On The Horizon
H55 is close to hitting some major certification milestones. The company expects its battery system to be certified by mid-2025, followed by the entire electric propulsion system shortly after. Once those are approved in Europe, the US and Canadian approvals are expected to follow.
That’s crucial, because flight schools and other early adopters need assurance that the aircraft meets rigorous safety and regulatory standards. And from what H55 is saying, they’re nearly there.
Why This Matters
Electric aviation has long been seen as “someday” technology — promising, but not quite ready. That perception is changing quickly.
Battery tech is improving, regulators are starting to catch up, and companies like H55 are proving that, for certain types of flying, electricity is already a better solution. The US has the world’s largest general aviation market, so if the B23 Energic catches on here, it could mark a major turning point.
It’s also a hopeful story in an industry that’s often under fire for its carbon footprint. While long-haul electric flight is still years away, small electric aircraft offer an immediate way to cut emissions and rethink what flight looks like — and sounds like.
Where To Catch The Tour
If you’re interested in seeing the B23 Energic in action, the H55 Across America tour is making stops throughout the summer. The team will be in:
Florida (April)
Alabama & Arizona (May)
Nevada & California (June)
Colorado & Wisconsin (July)
New York (August)
At each stop, you can check out the aircraft up close, talk with the H55 team, and — if you’re a pilot or part of a flight school — even book a test flight.
To learn more about dates and locations, visit the tour’s site at across-usa.h55.ch.
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