Horizon Aircraft finishes 50%-scale prototype eVTOL aircraft

Horizon Aircraft Inc., a Toronto, Canada-based developer of hybrid electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aerial vehicles, has completed construction of its 50%-scale Cavorite X5 prototype. Horizon’s technology allows the aircraft to fly 98% of its mission in a very low-drag configuration like a traditional aircraft, with its lift rotors covered by retractable wing panels. Flying most of the time as a normal aircraft is also safer and should make the aircraft easier to certify than radical eVTOL designs. Comprehensive testing of this 50%-scale aircraft will reduce technical risk as Horizon continues development of its full-scale aircraft.

The full-scale aircraft will also be powered by a hybrid electric system that can recharge the batteries in-flight while providing additional system redundancy.

“With a 22ft wingspan, 15ft in length, and capable of speeds over 250km/hr, this 50%-scale prototype is an impressive aircraft,” says Horizon Aircraft CEO Brandon Robinson. “Furthermore, it will yield valuable information that will help to reduce technical risk as we move forward with detailed design of our full-scale aircraft.”

Horizon Aircraft’s 50%-scale prototype will proceed through transition and high-speed flight testing. The Cavorite X5 eVTOL is designed to enter the market quickly and service a broad spectrum of early use cases.