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Horizon Aircraft's Unique VTOL Delivers Up to 75% Lower Operating Costs Than Helicopters
The Cavorite X7's Low Projected Operating Cost Has Been Verified by a Leading Independent Audit Firm TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / March 5, 2026 / New
About this update from New Horizon Aircraft Ltd.
[{"type":"text","content":"The Cavorite X7's Low Projected Operating Cost Has Been Verified by a Leading Independent Audit Firm TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / March 5, 2026 / New Horizon Aircraft Ltd. (\"Horizon Aircraft\" or the \"Company\") (NASDAQ:HOVR) is proud to announce that its hybrid-electric VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft, the Cavorite X7, is forecasted to operate up to 75% more cost efficiently compared to conventional helicopters on a cost per available seat mile basis. The aircraft further offers greater redundancy, speed, and higher aircraft utilization by combining all-weather capability with low maintenance requirements. The Cavorite X7's competitive operational and economic performance is attributed to its hybrid architecture and patented fan-in-wing design. Flying most missions in conventional fixed-wing cruise powered by a traditional turboprop engine, the Cavorite X7 is targeting regional distances up to 450 km/h (280 mph), nearly twice the speed of today's helicopters serving similar mission profiles. This can cut response times by half for critical missions such as medevac, disaster relief, and defense operations while significantly lowering operational costs.Horizon Aircraft CFO Brian Merker stated, \"The Cavorite X7's projected operating cost is US$0.97 per available seat mile, which we had validated by a leading independent audit firm. Our goal in 2026 is to highlight our aircraft's superior economic performance to legacy helicopter operators and lessors and how it can meaningfully transform their service to current and future customers.\"Operators can expect to further benefit from the Cavorite X7's high utilization potential. The aircraft is targeting certification for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI), and also has significantly lower mechanical complexity than a traditional helicopter. Integrating Cavorite X7s into existing fleets can provide operators an opportunity to deliver consistent, year-round availability, minimizing disruptions from adverse weather or maintenance downtime that currently ground open rotor aircraft. Further operational benefits include the ability to carry meaningful payloads (up to 680 kg/1500 lbs) and to fully recharge batteries in-flight unlike all-electric eVTOLs.\"The Cavorite X7's design was driven by gaps in today's regional air mobility solutions,\"...