Hanneke Weitering is a writer and editor with AIN covering advanced air mobility and new flight technologies. She became an aviation journalist and joined the AIN team in the summer of 2022 after reporting on spaceflight and astronomy for six years at Space.com. After earning a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she moved to New York City to pursue a master’s degree in science, health, and environmental reporting at New York University&#039;s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. She is now based in Seattle near Boeing Field and spends her free time exploring nature in the Pacific Northwest.

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Hanneke Weitering

Horizon Aircraft has enlisted hydrogen propulsion specialist ZeroAvia to help develop a hydrogen-powered version of its six-passenger Cavorite X7 hybrid-electric VTOL air taxi, the company announced on July 15.&nbsp;
According to Horizon, the partners aim to integrate ZeroAvia’s 600-kilowatt <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2025-02-03/faa-approves-zeroavias-certification-basis-electric">ZA600 hydrogen-electric powertrain</a> with the Cavorite aircraft, which the company has been developing with a hybrid-electric configuration for the past five years.&nbsp;
The hybrid-electric version of the Cavorite X7, which combines a gasoline engine with electric motors, is expected to offer a range of 800 kilometers (500 miles) and a cruise speed of 450 kph (280 mph). Horizon has not specified an anticipated range for the hydrogen-electric version.
ZeroAvia is developing the ZA600 hydrogen fuel cell system to convert regional airplanes with up to 20 seats, including the Cessna Caravan and Dornier 228 turboprops. It is also collaborating with <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2024-07-22/jekta-and-zeroavia-team-develop-hydrogen-powered-seaplane">Jekta</a> on a hydrogen-powered seaplane. Earlier this year, ZeroAvia received an order from <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2025-02-18/zeroavia-deliver-electric-propulsion-jetcruzer-500e">Jetcruzer International</a> for a ZA600 electric propulsion system to power its six-seat hydrogen-electric 500E airplane prototype. In May, ZeroAvia announced that it would make its <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2025-03-13/zeroavia-scales-fuel-cell-stack-smaller-uas-and-vtol">SuperStack Flex hydrogen fuel cell technology</a> available for manufacturers of smaller aircraft, including drones and eVTOLs.
“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,” said ZeroAvia founder and CEO Val Miftakhov. “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.”&nbsp;
Canada-based Horizon has conducted extensive flight testing with a half-scale prototype known as the Cavorite X5, which began <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2023-01-04/horizon-aircraft-achieves-first-hover-tests-cavorite-x5-evtol-prototype">hover testing</a> in 2022 and achieved its <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2025-06-09/horizon-boosted-transition-flight-cavorite-vtol-demonstrator">first transition flights</a> in May. Horizon aims to begin flying the first full-scale Cavorite X7 prototype in mid-2027. During a transition flight, the aircraft transitions from vertical lift to wingborne cruise flight. The Cavorite aircraft features 14 vertical lift fans built into its wing and canard, and those stow behind sliding panels after the aircraft transitions.&nbsp;
Horizon claims the Cavorite X7 would reduce direct operating costs by 30% compared to helicopters conducting similar regional transport missions while traveling twice as fast. The company intends to certify the aircraft for all-weather operations, including IMC and flight into known icing conditions.&nbsp;
“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,” said Horizon Aircraft co-founder and CEO Brandon Robinson. “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.”

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