Canada's Horizon picks RAMPF to manufacture main body of its aircraft

By Anshuman Tripathy

Jan 29 (Reuters) - Air taxi maker Horizon Aircraft HOVR.O said on Thursday it has partnered with RAMPF Composite Solutions to manufacture the main body of its Cavorite X7 hybrid electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT

Electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL) firms are competing to secure regulatory approval and lock in suppliers for what they see as a future market offering a more sustainable alternative for urban transport.

KEY QUOTES

Early adopters are expected to include air ambulance, emergency services and critical cargo operators, many of whom procure aircraft through leasing companies, Horizon Chief Executive Brandon Robinson told Reuters.

"Military and defense operators are also expected to be early adopters of Horizon’s eVTOL."

CONTEXT

Defense opportunities, along with emergency healthcare and cargo, are expected to boost the air taxi sector after the industry received backing from the Trump administration last year.

The Toronto, Canada-based firm last year selected Pratt & Whitney Canada's PT6A engine for the hybrid-electric system powering the aircraft, and partnered with F1 supplier Motion Applied to design a motor system for its flying taxi.

Unlike some of its U.S.-based peers such as Joby JOBY.N and Archer ACHR.N which focus on all-electric models, Horizon is betting on hybrid-electric technology.

WHAT'S NEXT

Manufacturing of the fuselage of the aircraft's full-scale prototype will be completed at the RAMPF's facility in Burlington, Ontario, with final assembly of the aircraft being completed at Horizon Aircraft's Ontario location.

(Reporting by Anshuman Tripathy in Bengaluru; Editing by Vijay Kishore)

((Anshuman.Tripathy@thomsonreuters.com;))