Flying Vehicle Completes Hundreds of Test Flights

Canadian eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) vehicle maker Horizon Aircraft has completed hundreds of flight tests with its large-scale prototype that takes off vertically and then flies like a normal plane.

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

Horizon is also developing digital twin technology for the rapid 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.

“I am extremely proud of the pace of our full-scale aircraft systems development program, the world-class team we’re building and the game-changing technology that we’re bringing to advanced air mobility,” said Brandon Robinson, CEO of Horizon. “Our unique, customer-first approach prioritizes building a tough eVTOL aircraft that can operate in bad weather, icing conditions and other challenging operational environments. This strategy is gaining strong traction with operators, driving substantial demand.”

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

Related:Flying Vehicle Moving Through Tests; 500-Mile Range Hybrid

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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 in a configuration like a normal, winged airplane and the vehicle would use a hybrid electric power system capable of charging its batteries while in flight.

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

After taking off, 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 on a helipad or vertiport.

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