Horizon Aircraft Begins Icing Tests for Cavorite X7 Hybrid-electric VTOL | Aviation International News

Horizon Begins Icing Tests for Cavorite X7 eVTOL

Icing approval would open year-round service to northern communities

Cavorite X7 hovering over snow — Horizon Aircraft has begun testing ice-protection materials for the Cavorite X7 hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft, which it designed to operate in winter conditions that routinely ground helicopters. (Image: Horizon Aircraft)

By Hanneke Weitering • Science & Technology Editor

September 2, 2026

Horizon Aircraft has begun wind tunnel testing of ice-protection materials for its Cavorite X7, the first step in a bid to clear the hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft for flight into known icing (FIKI) conditions. The Canadian company reported on September 1 that the tests, which began in July, used coupons—small material samples that stand in for sections of the airframe—carrying anti-icing technology from the University of Toronto.

The Ontario-based start-up is running the work with the university and Cert Center Canada, a flight test and certification organization approved by Transport Canada, under a $10.5 million project funded through Canada’s Initiative for Sustainable Aviation Technology.

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