Horizon Begins Icing Tests for Cavorite X7 eVTOL

Horizon Aircraft has begun wind tunnel testing of ice-protection materials for its Cavorite X7, the first step in a bid to clear the hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft for flight into known icing (FIKI) conditions. The Canadian company reported on September 1 that the tests, which began in July, used coupons—small material samples that stand in for sections of the airframe—carrying anti-icing technology from the University of Toronto. 

The Ontario-based start-up is running the work with the university and Cert Center Canada, a flight test and certification organization approved by Transport Canada, under a $10.5 million project funded through Canada’s Initiative for Sustainable Aviation Technology.

FIKI approval would open the market Horizon is chasing. The company is aiming the seven-seat X7 at northern and isolated communities that rely on helicopters for supplies and medical transport, which winter weather routinely grounds. Sliding panels close over the X7’s vertical lift fans once it transitions to wingborne cruise flight, which the company argues gives it an advantage over open-rotor eVTOL designs in winter conditions.

Cert Center Canada founder John Maris said the X7’s design, his firm’s certification experience, and the university’s technology together put the aircraft within reach of FIKI approval and of year-round regional service “that helicopters struggle to provide.”

“From day one, we designed the Cavorite X7 for Canadian winters to benefit both remote communities and aircraft operators,” said Horizon co-founder and CEO Brandon Robinson.

The coupon tests serve as a viability check to determine whether the University of Toronto’s technology will work on the X7. Horizon has not said when it expects to achieve type certification. The company has yet to fly a full-scale aircraft, which it says will reach 248 knots and cover 432 nm with reserves. Australian medevac operator V-Star committed to the type in July.