• 04 Nov 2023 12:06 AM
• 0

Horizon Grows to Seven Seats

On Sept. 26, Horizon Aircraft formally announced that it had shifted its design of the Cavorite hybrid-electric aircraft. The new aircraft, the Cavorite X7, is larger than its predecessor, the five-seat Cavorite X5 (shown). The company changed its approach after what it said in a press release were “positive flight-testing results” of a 50%-scale prototype of the X5, leading it to believe it could add two more seats to the Cavorite. While the overall dimensions of the Cavorite do not appear to have changed, the maximum take-off weight of the X7 has increased by 47% to 2,405 kg (5,300 lb) compared to the X5, while the useful payload in vertical takeoff mode has doubled, according to specifications released by the company. Horizon is continuing to test the 50%-scale prototype as it prepares to develop a full-scale aircraft.