Horizon Releases Details of Cavorite X7 VTOL Redesign

Horizon Aircraft has announced a series of design changes to its Cavorite X7 hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft as it starts manufacturing of the first full-scale prototype, which it aims to start flight testing next year. The Canadian company released the program update on January 21, a week after reporting that it had increased liquidity to more than 24 million CAD to support planned work in 2026.

The main change is to the fan-in-wing aircraft’s vertical lift fans, with the design team—led by Andrea Mocellin—replacing four smaller canard fans with versions that are the same size as the five fans in each wing. Horizon said this standardization will improve manufacturing efficiency, increase performance, and simplify maintenance for the single-pilot X7, which is expected to carry up to six passengers with a range of 800 kilometers (432 nm) and a speed of 245 knots.

With a view to reducing drag to improve cruise efficiency and enhance stability, the Toronto-based company has also reprofiled aerodynamic surfaces in the canard and tail. The passenger cabin has been slightly extended in length to allow more legroom, with changes to the windows intended to improve sightlines.

The changes have been based on lessons learned from flight testing with a large-scale prototype conducted last year. This aircraft achieved transition flight in mid-May 2025.

Announcing financial results for the second quarter of the 2026 fiscal year, the Nasdaq-listed start-up said it doubled the size of its engineering team in the 12 months through November 30, and intends to double headcount again this year. During the second quarter, Canada’s Initiative for Sustainable Aviation Technology awarded Horizon a $10.5 million grant to support work on its all-weather eVTOL project.

“The progress achieved during the second quarter of fiscal 2026 provides strong momentum towards completing our full-scale aircraft and commencing initial testing within the next 12 to 18 months,” said Horizon’s co-founder and CEO, Brandon Robinson. “Over the next six months, we will remain focused on expanding our world-class engineering team, scaling our supply chain, and deepening strategic partnerships that support our long-term vision.”