Horizon Aircraft is continuing to pursue all-weather Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI) certification for its Cavorite X7 hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft.
The company has developed an ongoing partnership with Canada’s Flight Test Centre of Excellence, aka Cert Center Canada (3C), where anti-icing technologies being developed by the University of Toronto are being tested.
In July, wind tunnel testing began on small coupon samples that feature the UofT’s ice protection technologies, marking the first step in evaluating the viability of these technologies on the Cavorite X7.
Brandon Robinson, co-founder and CEO of Horizon Aircraft, said: “From day one, we designed the Cavorite X7 for Canadian winters to benefit both remote communities and aircraft operators. 3C’s certification expertise and UofT’s technology are supporting our progress toward bringing a certified all-weather X7 to market. Communities serviced by X7 aircraft will have greater access to the critical services they need, and X7 operators will experience higher aircraft utilisation and profit margins.”
Today, many northern and isolated communities across Canada and around the world rely on helicopters to receive critical goods and services, but these aircraft are frequently grounded by cold, snow, and poor weather conditions. Unlike helicopters and open rotor eVTOL aircraft, the Cavorite X7 was designed to fly safely in winter conditions, putting Horizon Aircraft in a strong position to achieve all-weather certification.
Dr John Maris, the founder of 3C, said: “Unlocking the true potential of air vehicle operations globally requires accounting for harsh climates, and the Cavorite X7 meets that challenge. I believe that with the combination of the X7’s design, 3C’s mentorship, and Univerity of Toronto’s technology, Horizon Aircraft can achieve FIKI certification and provide a reliable, year-round regional air mobility solution that helicopters struggle to provide.”
About the Flight Test Centre of Excellence (3C)
Established by Marinvent Corporation, the Flight Test Centre of Excellence (3C) is Canada’s only Transport Canada Approved Independent Flight Test and Certification Design Approval Organization (DAO). Serving both civilian and defence aerospace markets, 3C specialises in flight test, certification, R&D, and emerging aerospace technology innovation. With unmatched capabilities, assets, and access to intellectual property via its sister companies, 3C supports end-to-end flight testing and certification solutions to meet Canada’s growing defence and civil aerospace needs.
Image: Horizon Aircraft
