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WATCH: ‘Ultraquiet’ Electric Aircraft Engines Power First Piloted Flight

Swift 3 glider with Whisper Aero’s propulsion system begins testing.

Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 03:30 PM ET

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Whisper used a modified Aériane Swift 3 glider to conduct the first piloted tests of its eQ250 electric ducted fan propulsion system. [Credit: Whisper Aero]

Key Takeaways:

Whisper Aero successfully conducted initial piloted flight tests of its "ultra-quiet" eQ250 electric ducted fan propulsion system on a modified glider, demonstrating increased thrust and significantly reduced operational noise.
The eQ250 system is designed to be 20 dB quieter and 20% more efficient than comparable propulsion systems, aiming to enable quiet short-to-medium-range regional air mobility from smaller airports.
This technology is being developed for future applications, including a U.S. Air Force contract for quiet, efficient autonomous logistics aircraft, and advanced STOL/VTOL designs for runway independence.

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An electric aircraft engine designed to reduce operational noise to a whisper is now powering piloted aircraft.

Whisper Aero on Wednesday revealed that its “ultra-quiet” eQ250 electric ducted fan propulsion system is being put to the test in Tennessee under an FAA special airworthiness certification. The company said it installed a pair of eQ250s on a modified Aériane Swift 3 glider, with which test pilot Zac Majors conducted three flights spanning 130 minutes, or about 43 minutes on average.

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.