Horizon Aircraft and ZeroAvia have confirmed plans to work together on exploring hydrogen-electric propulsion for regional vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft.
The announcement marks Horizon Aircraft’s initial step towards incorporating zero-emission technologies into its aviation platforms.
The two companies intend to examine the use of ZeroAvia’s ZA600 hydrogen-electric powertrain in Horizon Aircraft’s Cavorite X7 model. The ZA600 is designed for aircraft carrying up to 20 passengers and has already undergone flight testing.
Horizon’s Cavorite X7 is a hybrid electric VTOL aircraft featuring a fan-in-wing layout. It integrates 14 lift fans, which provide vertical lift during take-off. Once airborne, sliding panels close over the fans, allowing the aircraft to operate in a more conventional wing-borne flight mode.
The X7 is capable of both runway and helipad landings. Horizon Aircraft has already completed untethered flight tests of a large-scale prototype, demonstrating both vertical lift and transition to forward flight. The company has secured support from the U.S. Department of Defense and regulatory approvals for test flights in Canada.
Alongside evaluating ZeroAvia’s propulsion system, the partnership will focus on identifying the infrastructure and regulatory pathways necessary for implementing hydrogen-electric technologies in regional air mobility.
ZeroAvia’s founder and CEO Val Miftakhov said:More and more eVTOL companies are looking to hydrogen-electric propulsion as the breakthrough that can extend range potential and durability of electric propulsion systems. Horizon Aircraft has developed an exciting application and performed successful prototype testing, and they are taking another leadership step in exploring hydrogen as a potential propulsion option for the Cavorite X7.
This planned collaboration forms part of Horizon Aircraft’s broader strategy to build partnerships that support the certification and eventual commercial operation of its hybrid VTOL aircraft.
Brandon Robinson, CEO and co-founder of Horizon Aircraft, said:We are a company that continues to focus on what is best for operators of our aircraft. We have been impressed with ZeroAvia’s recent flight demonstrations of hydrogen-electric propulsion systems and the company’s traction with regulators. We are thankful for the opportunity to explore hydrogen solutions for the regional air mobility market which could develop into a viable solution to deliver clean, fast, and highly-efficient air travel.
