Feature

VTOL aircraft prototype takes to the skies

Initial hover testing of Horizon Aircraft’s “Cavorite X5” scale prototype has successfully taken off.

17/01/2023 11:03:24

Brandon Robinson, CEO of Horizon Aircraft, said, “This aircraft has exceeded expectations during initial hover testing.

"It is extremely stable, is capable of full hover at only 65 percent power, and has hovered with 20 percent of its fans purposely disabled in order to test system redundancy.

“This is a large-scale aircraft, with a 22ft wingspan, over 15ft in length, and capable of speeds over 175mph. It continues to yield valuable data that is constantly improving our full-scale design.”

Horizon’s patented eVTOL concept allows the aircraft to fly 98 percent of its mission in a very low-drag configuration, like a traditional aircraft, and is one of the only eVTOL aircraft currently able to do so.

Flying most of the mission as a normal aircraft is safer, more efficient, and will be easier to certify than radical new eVTOL designs. The full-scale aircraft will also be powered by a hybrid electric system that can recharge the battery array in flight, while providing additional system redundancy.

Horizon Aircraft plans to move to transition flight testing in Q1 2023 at the world-class ACE Climatic Wind Tunnel located near Toronto, Ontario.

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.