Hangar X Studios

How VerdeGo Aero is Making Electric Flight a Reality?

Listen Later

In this episode of HangarX Studios, host Jon Ramstead sits down with Eric Bartsch, CEO and co-founder of VerdeGo Aero, to explore the realities and future of electric propulsion in aviation. Eric shares how VerdeGo pivoted from designing its own aircraft to focusing on hybrid-electric powerplants, discusses the limitations of battery-only systems, and explains why hybrid architectures are poised to be a permanent fixture in both civilian and military aerospace. From technical deep dives into series vs. parallel hybrids to real-world lessons in EMI and thermal management, this conversation uncovers what it takes to certify, build, and operate the next generation of electrified aircraft.

Episode Highlights
  • Why batteries alone won’t cut it: Understanding energy density challenges and reserve requirements for aviation.

  • The hybrid advantage: How VerdeGo’s VH4T powerplant delivers 400 kW (≈550 hp) in a 550 lb package, unlocking hundreds of miles of range.

  • Series vs. parallel hybrids: Key architectural choices and their applications in VTOL, fixed-wing, and rotorcraft.

  • Regulatory pathways: Collaborating with the FAA to meet both certification and operational energy-reserve standards.

  • Real-world engineering hurdles: Tackling EMI, thermal management, and control integration.

  • Looking ahead: The enduring role of hybrids in civilian and military aviation and emerging use cases.

    • Key Points with Time Stamps
    • 00:00 – 00:30: Importance of predictable battery performance over a pack’s lifetime.

    • 01:41 – 02:29: VerdeGo’s founding in 2017 and the industry “aha” that electric motors—not batteries—are the transformative core.

    • 02:29 – 03:32: The shift from one- or two-engine designs to multi-point electric propulsion for enhanced control and safety.

    • 06:26 – 07:44: Simplicity of electric power distribution vs. mechanical drivetrains like the V-22’s.

    • 09:46 – 11:00: Choosing turbine and jet-fuel diesel engines optimized for hybridization.

    • 15:39 – 17:17: Market segments ideal for VerdeGo’s 400 kW powerplant: urban air mobility, cargo drones, regional fixed-wing.

    • 18:16 – 19:06: Weight trade-offs: 2,000 lb of batteries yields 30–50 mi range vs. hybrid enabling 8–10× range.

    • 23:13 – 24:16: Pure battery isn’t viable for high-value missions—Moore’s Law limits and decades-long timeframe for breakthroughs.

    • 27:42 – 30:18: FAA collaboration on certification and operational reserve requirements, and how hybrids address those.

    • 32:30 – 35:16: Battery replacement costs, derating strategies, and the hidden OPEX hurdles of battery-electric aviation.

    • 38:31 – 40:20: Engineering challenges in EMI and thermal management for high-power electric and hybrid systems.

    • 43:48 – 46:05: Hybrid as a permanent landscape shift—civilian and military adoption, runway-independent platforms.

      • Guest Bio

      Eric Bartsch is co-founder and CEO of VerdeGo Aero, established in 2017 to pioneer hybrid-electric propulsion for aircraft and drones. With decades of aerospace experience, Eric recognized early that electric motors and power distribution—not batteries—would redefine aviation. Under his leadership, VerdeGo’s VH4T hybrid powerplant delivers 400 kW continuous electric output in a compact package, optimizing performance across urban air mobility, cargo drones, and regional air mobility. Eric’s expertise spans engine selection, system integration, FAA certification, and operational cost analysis.

      About VerdeGo Aero

      VerdeGo Aero is a trailblazing aerospace technology company founded in 2017 with the mission of revolutionizing propulsion for electric and hybrid-electric aircraft. By focusing on the upstream powerplant—combining advanced turbine or diesel-cycle engines optimized for jet fuel with high-efficiency electric generators—VerdeGo delivers compact, reliable hybrid systems that produce up to 400 kW (≈550 hp) in just 550 lb. Their modular approach enables a broad range of applications, from urban air mobility and cargo drones to regional fixed-wing and military platforms, offering dramatic improvements in range, speed, and payload over battery-only designs. Committed to safety, performance, and operational practicality, VerdeGo works closely with regulators to certify its powerplants and empower aircraft manufacturers to build the next generation of electrified flight.

      Notable Quotes

      “The transformative technology that makes electric flight interesting isn’t batteries—it’s electric motors.”
       — Eric Bartsch [00:02:29]

      “Batteries don’t get any lighter whether they’re full or empty. Fuel is more than 20× more energy dense than the best batteries on the market.”
       — Eric Bartsch [00:19:07]

      “Hybridization is kind of a safety valve that allows a lot of those aircraft to meet both certification and operational requirements.”
       — Eric Bartsch [29:57]

      “We’re talking decades before there’s parity between battery-electric weights and performance versus hybrid or conventional propulsion.”
       — Eric Bartsch [43:21]

      ...more
      View all episodesView all episodes
      Download on the App Store
      Hangar X StudiosBy John Ramstead