New Horizon Aircraft Ltd., operating as Horizon Aircraft, has announced the selection and purchase of the PT6A engine from Pratt & Whitney Canada for its full-scale hybrid electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the Cavorite X7.
The PT6A engine was chosen for the Cavorite X7 because the aircraft is intended to fly most of its mission profile like a conventional airplane. The engine’s proven performance record across a wide range of aircraft and applications, along with its architecture and modular reverse flow design that simplifies installation and maintenance, made it the optimal choice.
Unlike many eVTOL designs that rely solely on electric power, the Cavorite X7 features a hybrid gas/electric design. This hybrid system aims to support real-world military, emergency, and commercial operations in remote, off-grid locations where battery charging infrastructure is unreliable or absent. Horizon Aircraft states that integrating the PT6A engine will provide the aircraft with a level of speed, range, efficiency, and dependability that other eVTOLs and helicopters cannot match. Additionally, the design is anticipated to reduce hydrocarbon emissions by up to 30% when compared to conventional aircraft conducting similar operations.
Brandon Robinson, CEO of Horizon Aircraft, commented, “Choosing the right engine for our full-scale hybrid aircraft was essential. The PT6A is exactly what we need for our full-scale aircraft, and building a relationship with Pratt & Whitney Canada, such a respected, global leader right here at home, is another amazing win.”
Scott McElvaine, Vice President, Sales & Marketing and Business Development at Pratt & Whitney Canada, stated, “For more than six decades, the PT6 engine has been at the heart of countless innovations in aviation, continually evolving to meet the needs of customers worldwide. Seeing the PT6A selected for Horizon Aircraft’s Cavorite X7 reflects its position as the most modern and versatile engine in its class today, delivering the performance, efficiency, and reliability required for this next generation of aircraft.”
The collaboration between the two Canadian entities is expected to strengthen Horizon Aircraft’s position as it develops its full-scale hybrid eVTOL and highlights Canada’s growing influence in the global advanced air mobility industry.
