Major Investors Expect First Commercial eVTOL Passenger Routes to be Operational by 2026 - Seite 2

Horizon is targeting the future production of a manned seven-seat capacity hybrid electric eVTOL called the Cavorite X7 which includes room for a pilot and six passengers. It has been developed in response to demand from potential customers in the medevac, business aviation and commercial cargo sectors.

Brandon Robinson, CEO of Horizon Aircraft, said: “Private equity, venture capital and family office investors have been closely monitoring the Future Air Mobility sector for some time, but are now seeing an acceleration towards the launch of the first commercial eVTOL passenger routes. The sector has already attracted significant investment, and we anticipate that this will only increase as ongoing developments in technology and regulation provide new investment opportunities in this rapidly expanding market that has the potential to revolutionise transportation.”

Horizon Aircraft’s Cavorite X7 hybrid eVTOL aircraft is anticipated to carry 1,500 lbs of useful load at speeds up to 250 miles per hour and have an average range of over 500 miles with fuel reserves. Horizon believes that this experimental aircraft, if eventually licensed for commercial use, would be well-positioned to excel in medical evacuation, critical supply delivery, disaster relief, and special military missions. The Company believes that the proposed aircraft would also be attractive for Regional Air Mobility – moving people and cargo 50 to 500 miles.

Unlike many in its category, the Cavorite X7 is being designed with a hybrid electric power system such that it could, after its vertical takeoff, re-charge its batteries enroute when it is flying in a configuration like a traditional aircraft. After a vertical landing and completion of a mission, the aircraft is being designed to recharge its battery array in under 30 minutes in order to be ready for its next mission.

Horizon believes that its innovative approach and technology will allow the Cavorite X7 to fly 98% of its mission in a very low-drag configuration like a traditional aircraft. The Company believes that flying most of the time as a normal aircraft is also safer and will make the aircraft easier to certify than other radical new eVTOL designs. The Company is continuing the testing of its 50%-scale aircraft that it believes will reduce technical risk moving forward as it continues to develop its full-scale aircraft.