![]() The Canadian company is not the only aerospace firm that is backing hybrid propulsion technology for regional aircraft as a way to bridge the gap before battery technology advances further.įormer-Airbus CTO Jean Botti’s French company Volt-Aero is amongst the most-advanced hybrid-electric aircraft development projects with its Cassio aircraft – read a Q&A discussing the technology and Cassio or listen to the podcast here. Horizon Aircraft was bought by USA-based autonomous aircraft developer Astro Aerospace last month, with the acquisition expected to close by July this year. Some high-profile eVTOL developers, such as Joby Aviation, are using batteries that will weigh up to 600kg, and have a range of between 100km and 200 km, says Horizon. The Cavorite X5 is intended to fly most of its mission exactly like a normal aircraft and uses batteries that weigh 200kg as part of a hybrid-electric propulsion system. The X5 builds on technology developed for two previous aircraft by Horizon, a Seabee seaplane converted with a V8 GM Corvette LS-series engine and its successor X3 aircraft. Revolution.Aero Uplift: Landing the multibillion-dollar air taxi market. ![]() The Cavorite X5 uses a patented fan-in-wing technology that allows it to fly horizontally like a normal aircraft.Īccording to reports, engineers at Horizon are working on a 1:6 scale prototype of the X5 and will then develop a half-scale version during the next year. Editorial, Top Stories Guest User MaHorizon Aircraft, Brandon Robinson, Zoe Layden, Aviation insurance, Cavorite X5, Astro Aerospace, air taxis. Horizon Aircraft, which was founded in 2008, is developing the hybrid-electric Cavorite X5 to have an estimated top speed of 450 km/h (280mph) with a 500km (310 miles) range and a five passenger capacity. According to the aircraft’s design thinking, this will allow for extremely lowered drag in forward flight as compared to aircraft that position their lift rotors externally. ![]() But the company argues that these lighter batteries can be damaged easily, increasing the rate at which they need to be replaced, which will increase costs. Above: Horizon Aircraft’s founder Brandon Robinson with the Cavorite X5 prototype Horizon’s Cavorite X5 is an especially unique eVTOL in that it features in-wing lift rotors. Many prototypes currently under development use advanced, high energy density variants. “eVTOL aircraft with heavy batteries or ones that take too long to recharge will have access to fewer vertiports.Īccording to Horizon, some of the batteries being used are too heavy for long-range commutes with charging times that are too slow to support the number of flights required and too short a lifecycle. Built for fully-electric flight when battery technology and. Watch in this video how the Horizon Aicraft Cavorite X5 actually works. One of the biggest operational barriers to deploying a VTOL fleet in cities is finding sufficient locations to place landing pads, and the facilities needed to recharge and service aircraft. The Cavorite X5 e VTOL powered by an advanced electric motor coupled with a high efficiency gas engine, and designed around system redundancy and safety, it is the future of regional and urban transportation. Astro will now have three eVTOL models under development: Alta, Elroy and the Cavorite X5.“The type of batteries used by eVTOL aircraft will also impact what vertiports they can use. The acquisition of Horizon Aircraft by Astro Aerospace will provide a complete product offering across both commercial and industrial applications. Robinson holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from the Royal Military College of Canada, is a CF-18 Fighter Pilot Top Gun graduate, has an MBA from Royal Roads University, and has led more than $400 million in complex engineering projects. The company also announced that Horizon CEO Brandon Robinson has been appointed President of Astro Aerospace. Current Astro CEO Bruce Bent will assume the role of Executive Chairman to assist in implementing the Astro business plan developed over the past two years. In related news, Patricia Trompeter, currently a member of Astro’s Board of Directors, has agreed to take on the role of Chief Executive Officer for Astro. ![]() ![]() The acquisition was completed for common shares of Astro stock. Astro Aerospace Ltd., an eVTOL and drone developer headquartered in Texas, has acquired acquisition of Horizon Aircraft, which was co-founded by CEO Brandon Robinson and Chief Engineer Brian Robinson, with its primary production facility located in Lindsay, Ontario. ![]()
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