H55 Showcases Exceptional Electric Aviation Performance in Extreme Desert Conditions

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DESERT HEAT, STEADY POWER: H55 DELIVERS UNMATCHED PERFORMANCE IN HOT CLIMATES

SION, Switzerland and PALO ALTO, Calif., June 13, 2025 /CNW/ — H55, the pioneering electric aviation company and a technological spinoff of the historic Solar Impulse project, recently concluded the fourth leg of its Across America tour in Las Vegas from June 2 to 6. During this event, the Swiss-developed electric propulsion system (EPS) showcased its capabilities in one of the country’s most challenging flight environments.

Operating under the extreme conditions of the Mojave Desert, the B23 Energic—a fully electric general aviation and flight trainer aircraft—demonstrated the reliability of electric propulsion even in high heat and low-density altitude scenarios. The aircraft performed flawlessly, affirming the EPS’s resilience and consistent power output, regardless of temperature or elevation. Central to the B23 Energic’s performance is H55’s proprietary battery and energy management system, designed to provide peak performance even in extreme environments. Unlike traditional combustion-based propulsion systems that struggle in hot and high-altitude conditions, H55’s thermal regulation architecture ensures consistent power output and safe operations under varying ambient temperatures.

Flight Demonstrations Highlight Reliability and Versatility

The H55 flight operations team, led by Céline Bonnefous (Lead Flight Test Engineer), alongside Sasa Blagec and Serge de Wit (Flight Readiness Engineers), and pilot Laurent Wulser, conducted a series of demonstration flights with U.S. Air Force test pilots, airline and commercial pilots, flight instructors, and general aviation enthusiasts from Nevada and nearby states. These flights took place in intense desert heat and showed no degradation in aircraft performance.

“The H55 electric engine isn’t affected by density altitude,” stated Céline Bonnefous. “It delivers consistent power regardless of heat or elevation—unlike piston engines, which depend on air density for combustion. In hot or high-altitude conditions, these aircraft experience significant performance drops, particularly during takeoff. This is a major advantage for flight schools and regional hubs operating in more demanding environments.”

What Pilots Are Saying…

Flight schools across the country are witnessing the future of training firsthand. Paniau Lindsey, Chief Flight Instructor at Vegas Aviation, shared his experience with the B23 Energic: “This was my first time using a center stick, so I thought I might struggle—but it was easy. I’m still shocked. Before flying, I kept thinking, ‘We’re going to fly a plane with no gas? How’s that going to work?’ But once we were up there, everything was fine. It’s super quiet—we even took off our headsets and could still talk to each other. I want to discuss this with my school right away. I would love to have a couple of these planes. They’re clean, simple, quiet, and fly great. Takeoff was a breeze. Steep turns? No problem. It’s a perfect training aircraft. Beautiful flight—this is cool.”

Next Stop: The Heart of Silicon Valley

California has held strategic importance for H55 since its initial arrival in 2013 with Solar Impulse I, followed by Solar Impulse II in 2017. Silicon Valley played a crucial role in H55’s early development, housing the company’s lead investor, ND Capital, and several of H55’s earliest backers. For the investment community in Silicon Valley, this represents a high-conviction opportunity to engage with a product that has been operational since 2019 and is now entering the final phase of certification while generating commercial interest through a growing order book.

The B23 Energic, powered by H55’s certified electric propulsion system, is not a prototype; it is a fully operational aircraft validated through extensive testing and demonstration. With regulatory pathways clearly defined by EASA and FAA, and strong demand from flight schools, OEMs, and operators, the platform is well-positioned for market entry and scalable deployment. For investors, it represents a unique combination of technological maturity, regulatory readiness, and commercial momentum.

H55 will be at San Carlos Airport (SQL) at Skyway Center from June 14-16 and will be hosted at Palo Alto Airport (PAO) by the Bay Area Urban Eagles from June 17-25, marking the fifth stop on the tour. These organizations are partnering to introduce American audiences to the promise of fully electric, zero-emission flight, offering quiet and low-maintenance aircraft. H55 has also been invited by the Hiller Aviation Museum to participate in their Biggest Little Air Show on June 14, 2025, providing the public a chance to experience the future of electric aviation up close.

The Launch of a New Platform

As H55 engages with communities nationwide, it is also fostering a movement towards sustainable flight. To support this growing momentum, H55 has launched its new Ambassador Program and website, inviting aviation and aerospace professionals, industry leaders, regulators, and enthusiasts of all ages to join the mission and help shape the future of clean aviation. Interested individuals can learn more and apply at: [https://across-usa.h55.ch/h55-ambassadors/](https://across-usa.h55.ch/h55-ambassadors/).

About H55

H55 is a Swiss-based company founded by the former Solar Impulse management team: André Borschberg, Sebastien Demont, and Gregory Blatt. Committed to revolutionizing the aviation industry, H55 provides certified electric propulsion and battery management systems tailored for a diverse range of aircraft, aiming to achieve sustainable air travel. H55 supplies certified electric propulsion systems with full airplane integration solutions for general aviation and regional transport aircraft. Through its pioneering legacy and commitment to certified solutions, H55’s team of visionary engineers and aerospace experts is at the forefront of advancing the aviation industry, setting new standards, and pushing the boundaries of electric aviation.

For more information, visit: [www.h55.ch](http://www.h55.ch) or contact [email protected].
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