In a move that calls attention to Canada’s growing leadership in next-generation aerospace technology, Horizon Aircraft recently announced that it has selected the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprop engine to power its Cavorite X7 hybrid electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The purchase agreement represents a major engineering milestone as the company moves toward full-scale prototype testing and eventual certification.For Canadian design engineers and OEMs, the announcement marks a significant achievement concerning the merging of legacy propulsion expertise and advanced air mobility design. Horizon’s hybrid approach which combines gas turbine power generation with electric propulsion offers a practical approach toward commercial eVTOL deployment, particularly in regions where charging infrastructure remains limited.“Choosing the right engine for our full-scale hybrid aircraft was essential,” said Horizon Aircraft CEO, Brandon Robinson. “The PT6A is exactly what we need for our full-scale aircraft, and building a relationship with Pratt & Whitney Canada, such a respected, global leader right here at home, is another amazing win.”AdvertisementProven Canadian power for a new flight regimeThe PT6A family, long regarded as an industry benchmark for reliability and versatility, has accumulated over 500 million flight hours across diverse applications, from regional aircraft to agricultural and utility platforms. And its modular reverse-flow architecture simplifies integration and maintenance while at the same time providing impressive performance across a wide power range.For Horizon’s engineers, the PT6A provides a power-dense, field-proven core that can be seamlessly adapted to the company’s hybrid-electric powertrain. The engine will operate as a generator during vertical flight and cruise, charging onboard batteries and driving electric motors to achieve efficient distributed propulsion.It’s a feat that signals a shift in thinking concerning hybrid electric aircraft propulsion. And, according to Scott McElvaine, Vice President of Sales & Marketing and Business Development at Pratt & Whitney Canada, it’s a collaboration that perfectly demonstrates the continuing adaptability of the PT6 platform.“For more than six decades, the PT6 engine has been at the heart of countless innovations in aviation, continually evolving to meet the needs of customers worldwide,” he said. “Seeing the PT6A selected for Horizon Aircraft’s Cavorite X7 reflects its position as the most modern and versatile engine in its class today, delivering the performance, efficiency and reliability required for this next generation of aircraft.” (ICE TORONTO)

Fonte notizia: https://www.design-engineering.com/