X7 air taxi promises to go faster, farther — with up to 1,000km range

Air taxi startup Horizon Aircraft is shooting for the skies — literally. 

Its flagship model, the Cavorite X7, is a next-gen flying machine that lifts off like a helicopter, flies like a conventional plane, and aims to outperform fully electric competitors in range, speed, and mission capability.

Unlike most electric VTOLs still navigating certification hurdles, the X7 is hybrid-electric, combining batteries with fossil fuel.

Designed for real-world missions

Horizon is building aircraft with serious missions in mind: medevac, defence, regional air mobility, and city-to-city executive travel. 

Its design reflects that purpose.

The Canada-based company recently completed final testing on its large-scale prototype, marking a major milestone in its certification journey. 

The test flight made aviation history—it was the first eVTOL to achieve stable wing-borne flight transition using a fan-in-wing configuration.

This feature allows the aircraft to switch smoothly from vertical to horizontal flight while maintaining stability and control. 

Building with end-users in mind

It’s part of a larger design philosophy shaped by CEO and co-founder Brandon Robinson, a former Air Force fighter pilot.

He didn’t just want to build what was trendy.

“Instead of designing something that was popular, we came up with an innovative concept laser focused on the end-user. Our unique hybrid-electric X7 is a reflection of that customer / user-first approach,” he told Gulf News in an exclusive interview.

“(We) crafted the X7 to meet demanding military roles such as medical evacuation, insertion/extraction, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR),” he said.

Military DNA

The X7’s design is steeped in Robinson’s military background. It can be configured for insertion/extraction missions, ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance), or medevac, and is compact enough to fit inside a C-17 transport aircraft.

The X7 is also versatile. 

In a military setup, it can carry four fully equipped personnel. In medevac mode, it can transport casualties and staff during the critical “golden hour” — like an MV-22 Osprey, but smaller and cheaper to operate.

Fan-in-wing, stealthy, resilient design

The X7 uses 14 electric fans embedded in the wings, protected by sliding surfaces that open during vertical lift and close in forward flight.

This fan-in-wing design reduces noise and shields rotors from debris or battle damage — ideal for covert military ops.

Its hybrid propulsion system also powers sensors and ISR tech, with up to 100kW available for extended surveillance operations.

The design includes multiple redundancies: fans are electrically, thermally, and mechanically isolated, allowing safe operation even if several systems fail.

In forward flight, it behaves like a conventional aircraft, reducing stress and simplifying certification.

Hybrid over all-electric

Why go hybrid in a world chasing all-electric dreams?

“We saw too many Silicon Valley-style designs betting on battery breakthroughs that just aren’t here yet,” Robinson said.

He explained that aerospace-grade batteries are heavy, expensive, and limited by infrastructure challenges. Many eVTOLs carry 2,000–3,000 lbs of batteries, a burden that limits performance.

“We wanted a vehicle that made economic sense from Day 1,” he said. “Compared to a helicopter, our X7 could slash cost per mile by up to 75%.”

Hybrid power also removes the dependency on ground charging — a huge advantage in emergencies or remote areas.

Investor confidence soars

Following the X7’s successful prototype test, Horizon’s stock surged by over 240% in a single month. As of June 30, 2025, the company’s shares closed at $1.71 — up from below $0.50 two months prior.

Investors are clearly responding to Horizon’s real-world approach: building a practical, certifiable hybrid aircraft with military and commercial use cases. It’s a stark contrast to other eVTOL startups focused solely on optimistic, fully electric concepts.

What’s next?

Horizon plans to launch a full-scale flying prototype within 24 months, with certification and commercial rollout expected before 2030. Customers include air taxi operators, defense agencies, and regional transport providers.

From battlefield insertions to corporate commutes, the Cavorite X7 is shaping up to be more than just an air taxi — it’s shaping up to be a workhorse for the skies, designed by people who’ve flown in high-stakes environments and know what it takes to stay aloft.