Hybrid eVTOL aircraft developer Horizon Aircraft’s flight test campaign for its hybrid eVTOL aircraft is progressing to schedule and the company expects to achieve a transition from horizontal to vertical flight with its prototype within the next few months.
Brandon Robinson, chairman and CEO of Horizon said, “The extremely positive test results continue to validate our innovative technology, our practical approach, and the team’s capability to deliver on our target timeline.”
“Over the past several months, Horizon has made incredible progress. I am continually amazed with the technical aptitude of our team as it clears one engineering hurdle after another. The transition flight testing program has taken significant strides forward, with the aircraft demonstrating impressive stability and control all the way from hover to approaching transition speeds.”
Horizon said it has validated the Cavorite’s yaw control system, which is a key part of the company’s patented HOVR Wing technology, in recent testing. This system enables precise hover and performance in strong crosswinds, providing a smoother and more comfortable ride for passengers as well as enhanced stability and control for pilots.
Full-scale propulsion unit production has also commenced. With the detailed design and aerodynamic analysis sufficiently developed, physical production and testing of the core vertical lifting fan technology represents a significant technical step towards building the full-scale prototype aircraft.
Horizon’s large-scale prototype is moving through its flight test program governed under Transport Canada’s Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC). The company expects to perform the key transition from vertical to horizontal flight during mid-summer and the aircraft continues to demonstrate expected stability and control.
Horizon added that it continues to leverage lessons learned from its current large-scale prototype flight test program to develop its full-scale aircraft.
