This Gujarat startup is building a 9-seat hybrid-electric STOL aircraft that can take off and land from spaces as small as a bus stop

Ahmedabad-basedaerospace startup Cligent Aerospace has announced the successful test of its proprietary hybrid-electric powertrain on a scaled aviation model, a major milestone in advancing next-generation eSTOL (electric Short Takeoff and Landing) aircraft technology.

It is capable of operating from runways under 150 meters, carrying nine passengers or up to 1,200 kg of cargo, without the need for traditional airport infrastructure.

About the hybrid-electric powertrain test

Shared via its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the update shows rigorous evaluation of the hybrid system, combining batteries with a generator, including simulated failure scenarios, reflecting reliability and operational robustness.

The breakthrough comes at a time when global aerospace innovation is rapidly shifting toward hybrid and electric propulsion solutions that can unlock new connectivity opportunities for remote regions and underserved communities.

Cligent’s hybrid-electric architecture delivers the instant torque of electric motors for powerful short-field takeoff, paired with a generator’s endurance for sustained operation, a balance critical for real-world aviation missions.

Test profiles conducted with the scaled model demonstrated consistent power delivery, stable performance across payload simulations, and efficient transitions between the battery and generator modes.

Milestone unlocked.

Cligent Aerospace successfully tests its proprietary hybrid-electric powertrain (battery + generator) on a scaled aviation model, including failure scenarios.
Powering the future eSTOL aircraft for 1-ton cargo or 9 passengers from just 50–100 m runways.#AAMpic.twitter.com/HF7HOJeGk6

— Cligent_ Aerospace (@Cligent_Aero) February 25, 2026

About Cligent Aerospace

Founded in 2023 by Harsh Joshi and Vivek Dhut,Cligent Aerospace is also the developer behind the CL1000, a hybrid-electric STOL aircraft platform designed to operate from ultra-short runways under 150 meters and capable of carrying up to one tonne of cargo or nine passengers.

The co-founders, long-time collaborators, drew on their shared technical expertise and vision to tackle the challenge of connecting underserved regions, from rural airstrips to coastal logistics networks, with safe, reliable air mobility.

The CL1000 is engineered to unlock thousands of underutilised airstrips, connecting remote zones, rugged terrain, and low-infrastructure locales that conventional aircraft cannot serve.

The hybrid-electric propulsion system represents a significant leap toward both sustainable and cost-efficient regional aviation. 

By integrating electric propulsion, which cuts fuel consumption and emissions, with a generator for range extension, Cligent’s design addresses the key limitations of purely electric aircraft, such as energy density constraints of current battery technologies.

Industry observers note that hybrid-electric eSTOL technology could redefine regional air mobility (RAM) and logistics networks, opening opportunities in sectors ranging from cargo transport and humanitarian relief to passenger services in remote regions.

With its scalable hybrid architecture, Cligent aims to balance environmental responsibility with operational versatility, a dual imperative for aviation’s future.

Institutional support has played a significant role in advancing Cligent’s mission. The startup has been backed by central and state government initiatives, including funding under the Gujarat Industrial Policy and schemes like the Scheme for Assistance for Startups/Innovations, alongside incubation by PIERC and partnerships with academic champions such as IIT Mandi and IIMA Ventures.

Cligent’s recent developments include securing multiple MoUs and pre-orders for its flagship CL1000 aircraft, as well as collaborations aimed at establishing regional and coastal air mobility ecosystems, significantly cutting travel times while boosting logistics efficiency.

While full-scale prototypes and certification remain in progress, Cligent’s latest test success demonstrates meaningful progress in overcoming engineering and safety barriers, positioning the company at the forefront of hybrid-electric aviation innovation in India and beyond.

Also read: ‘Not simulations. Real terrain. Real gradients. Real load’: Bengaluru-based A-Thon undergoes defence-grade validation above 20,000+ feet (startuppedia.in)