Flying Vehicle Company Signs Deal With Chile Helicopter Operator

Canadian eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) vehicle maker Horizon Aircraft has signed an agreement to lease five of its flying vehicles to Discovery Air Chile.

Helicopter operator Discovery Air Chile expects the Cavorite X7 electric aerial vehicle (EAV) to reduce transfer times for passengers, patients and critical goods while reducing costs.

“This agreement with Discovery Air Chile Ltda. marks a significant milestone for Horizon Aircraft as we further expand our international footprint into South America,” said Brandon Robinson, CEO and co-founder of Horizon Aircraft. “In Chile, when it comes to emergency evacuations, transfers and quickly reaching hospitals, speed is essential. 

“Our Cavorite X7 hybrid eVTOL offers a compelling economic and operational alternative to helicopters. Our aircraft can fly almost twice as fast as a traditional helicopter with an estimated 30% lower per-hour operating cost. This results in over 75% savings as compared to a traditional helicopter on a per-mile basis.” 

Horizon has completed hundreds of flight tests with its large-scale prototype that takes off vertically and then flies like a normal plane.

The seven-seater Cavorite X7 is a hybrid eVTOL vehicle being developed for completion in 2026.

Related:Flying Vehicle Completes Hundreds of Test Flights

Horizon is also developing digital twin technology for the testing of thousands of digital flight tests with the actual prototype already approaching full transition speed.

The Cavorite X7 is designed for speeds nearly twice that of a helicopter with a top speed of 250 mph and a range of 500 miles.

Horizon has validated its yaw control system, one of the key components of the vehicle’s wing technology.

The prototype of the Cavorite is going through a flight-testing program governed under Transport Canada’s Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC). 

The Cavorite X7 would be able to fly faster and carry more cargo than other electric aerial vehicles under development, according to the company.

The Cavorite wing system would allow it to fly mostly like a normal, winged airplane and the vehicle would use a hybrid electric power system capable of charging batteries while flying.

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The wings contain 14 lift fans that convert and provide thrust for vertical takeoff.

After takeoff, the vehicle has sliding panels to hide the fans, leaving the X7 to fly like a normal plane.

Landing could be on a normal runway, or the fans could be used to land at a helipad or vertiport.

New Horizon has signed a letter of intent with JetSetGo, an Indian regional air transport company, to sell up to 100 flying vehicles valued at up to $500 million.