Horizon Aircraft is enlisting the support of CertCenterCanada (3C) to complete the development and type certification of its Cavorite X5 eVTOL vehicle. Under a memorandum of understanding signed this week, the Transport Canada-approved independent flight test and certification design approval organization will provide the start-up with services including gap analysis, certification planning, certifiable design consulting, training, flight testing, and airworthiness approval support.
In January, Ontario-based Horizon conducted the first hover flight tests with a half-scale technology demonstrator. The production version of the hybrid-electric aircraft will seat four passengers plus one pilot and is intended for air taxi services, cargo deliveries, disaster relief, and emergency medical services. It features a patented fan-in-wing vertical lift system with 16 ducted fans built into the wing and canard.
Founded in 2016 and based near Montreal, 3C provides support for a variety of civil and military aerospace programs. It has expertise in areas such as avionics, software, and human-factors engineering, and also holds approvals from the FAA and EASA.
“We have been following the Cavorite X5 program from a distance for some time now and are very impressed with many of the business and design decisions that Horizon Aircraft have taken thus far on the program,” said 3C’s business development vice president Phil Cole. “Based on extensive experience, Horizon Aircraft understands the challenges ahead both with airworthiness approval and with vehicle operations. Accordingly, they are taking a very pragmatic approach to their development in order to significantly lower program risk.”
Horizon is now preparing to begin transition flight testing with the Cavorite X5. It has been using the ACE Wind Tunnel facility in Toronto ahead of anticipated outdoor trials later this year and aims to have a full-scale example of the aircraft built by 2025, with type certification targeted for 2026.
