Horizon Aircraft (NASDAQ:HOVR), developer and manufacturer of the groundbreaking fan-in-wing Cavorite X7 hybrid electric eVTOL aircraft, recently added its newest member to their legendary “Can-Do Crew”. 🇨🇦 Former RCAF fighter pilot, and current Virgin Galactic test pilot and astronaut Jameel Janjua has joined Horizon’s Board of Directors. Mr. Janjua brings an exceptional combination of mission-tested aviation experience, engineering expertise, and Ivy League business education. His leadership and unique perspective will be invaluable as Horizon continues to advance the Cavorite X7 and shape the future of next-generation aviation.
At the time of Horizon’s announcement (via a November 26, 2025 press release), Mr. Janjua gave a statement about his role in Horizon’s board:
“Horizon Aircraft is revolutionizing regional air mobility with its hybrid electric, fan-in-wing VTOL design. The Cavorite X7 has the ability to provide enhanced solutions for both civilian and military missions, and by joining the Board I can help ensure our business execution strategy is tightly aligned with delivering the safest possible certified aircraft.” – Jameel Janjua, Board of Directors Member, Horizon Aircraft
Readers will see not only in his statement above, but in other comments given to eVTOL buzz, that Jameel Janjua’s deep personal and professional commitment to safety perfectly aligns with Horizon’s 3 core principles of safety, performance, and reliability, that were outlined by its Co-Founder and CEO Brandon Robinson, during an interview back in March 2025 during Verticon 2025 in Dallas, Texas.
Here’s what Horizon Aircraft’s Co-Founder and CEO Brandon Robinson recently said about Jameel Janjua joining Horizon’s Board and legendary Can-Do Crew:
“Jameel joining our Board is a huge win for our team in more ways than one. Having someone of his caliber provide insight and mentorship will help us make the Cavorite X7 a leader in aerospace safety and be ready to fly real-world missions.” – Horizon Aircraft Co-Founder and CEO Brandon Robinson
Mr. Janjua’s addition is unquestionably a win in more ways than one. Over the course of his career, he has flown a wide range of RCAF and NATO fighter jets as a Royal Canadian Air Force fighter pilot, served as a test pilot in both military and civilian programs, and even instructed at the prestigious USAF Test Pilot School. His experience extends beyond the atmosphere as well, he currently flies spacecraft for Virgin Galactic.
Academically, his credentials are just as impressive. He holds engineering degrees in chemical and materials engineering from the Royal Military College of Canada, as well as in aeronautics and astronautics from MIT. On top of that, Mr. Janjua earned an MBA in Finance from The Wharton School, where he graduated in the top 5% of his class (which earned him the distinction of being a Palmer Scholar). This most definitely will come in handy during business deliberations as a Horizon Board Member. Each of these achievements on its own is remarkable; combined in one individual, they form an exceptionally rare skill set and a truly extraordinary professional profile.
Major (Ret.) Jameel Janjua (Call sign “Chocolate”)
- Member of Horizon Aircraft’s Board of Directors
- Royal Canadian Air Force fighter pilot
- Combat veteran:
- Flown 84 combat missions
- NATO missions:
- Operation Herrick (Afghanistan)
- 40 combat missions
- Operation Ellamy (Libya)
- 43 combat missions
- Operation Herrick (Afghanistan)
- 5,500 flying hours
- Has flown over 65 aircraft, including:
- F-16 Viper
- CF-18 Hornet
- F-15 Eagle
- Tornado GR4
- Virgin MotherShip (VMS) Eve
- VSS Unity
- USAF Test Pilot School graduate
- Liethen-Tittle Award recipient in 2014, as top graduate
- Served as an instructor
- Test Pilot for Virgin Galactic
- Royal Military College of Canada
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemical and Materials Engineering
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Master of Science degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics
- U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School
- The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
- MBA in Finance, Palmer Scholar
- Order of Military Merit (OMM) Investee in 2019
- The Royal Canadian Geographical Society
- Awarded Gold Medal in 2024
- The Society of Experimental Test Pilot
- Member of the Board of Directors, Representing West Coast Section
Royal Canadian Air Force
- Founded on:
- 1 April 1924 (as RCAF)
- 1 September 1914 (as Canadian Aviation Corps)
- Headquartered at:
- National Defence Headquarters, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Commander-in-Chief: Charles III, King of Canada
- Commander of the RCAF : Lieutenant-General Jamie Speiser-Blanchet
- 390 aircraft
- Personnel:
- Regular Force: 12,074 Regular force members
- Reserve Force: 1,969 Reserve force members
- Civilian members: 1,518 civilian members
Virgin Galactic
- Established in 2004
- Founded by Richard Branson
- CEO: Michael Colglazier
- Operating bases:
- Spaceport America (New Mexico)
- Mojave Air and Space Port (California)
- Space Tourism
- Fleet:
- SpaceShipTwo class VSS Unity
- Galactic 07 sub-orbital space flight (June 8, 2024)
- Virgin MotherShip (VMS) Eve
- Unity 25 (May 25, 2023)
- Galactic 03 (Sept 8, 2023)
- Galactic 04 (Oct 5, 2023)
- Galactic 05 (Oct 18, 2023)
- SpaceShipTwo class VSS Unity
U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School (USAF TPS)
- Active since September 9, 1944
- Current location: Edward’s Air Force Base, California
- Facilities:
- ~100 airborne laboratories
- Trainers include:
- A-29C Super Tucano
- T-38C Talon
- Fighters include:
- F-16 Fighting Falcon (F-16C/D)
- Transporters include:
- C-12 Huron (C-12C/J)
- C-17 Globemaster III
- Special Aircraft:
- X-62A Variable In-Flight Simulation Test Aircraft (VISTA)
- Degree:
- Master of Science in Flight Test Engineering on successful completion of the program
- 2 Classes Graduate per year
- Notable Former Commanders:
- Chuck Yeager
- Buzz Aldrin
The Society of Experimental Test Pilots
- Professional and prestigious international society for all test pilots and aerospace corporations
- Promotes safety, communication and education in the design & flight test of aerospace vehicles and their related systems.
- President: Lt. Col (Ret.) Kelly Latimer
- Jameel Janjua holds position as a Board Member
Jameel Janjua Answers Questions for eVTOL buzz
Samantha Reichert, eVTOL buzz Business Editor: “You’ve made a remarkable transition from test pilot to Wharton MBA. In what ways has your business education reshaped your understanding of strategy and risk, especially when compared to your experience in military aviation?”
Jameel Janjua: “I would not say that my business education has reshaped my understanding of strategy and risk but rather it has diversified it. As a former RCAF fighter pilot and experimental test pilot, I will always look at aerospace technology through the lens of safety, and what technical strategies are needed to keep all pilots, passengers, and surrounding environments exposed to as low a risk as possible.”
“Earning an MBA from Wharton now provides me a business lens, allowing me to analyze challenges in new ways that can help Horizon Aircraft grow into an industry leader in Advanced Air Mobility. As a board member, I can contribute a combination of my pilot, military, leadership, and MBA experience to advise on how to approach business strategy and risk while delivering the safest possible aircraft to end users.”
Julian Orkisz, eVTOL buzz Editor-in-Chief: “How has your education at The Wharton School, combined with your experience as a fighter pilot and test pilot, shaped your approach to scaling Horizon Aircraft and pursuing both commercial and defense contracts?”
Jameel Janjua: “The Advanced Air Mobility industry is a great example of how innovative, emerging technologies can be dual-use for both commercial and defense applications. Horizon Aircraft’s Cavorite X7 will be an aircraft that proves extremely useful for critical missions, changing how we move people and goods around the globe. This is beneficial for military operations, but also for commercial missions such as medical evacuations, search and rescue, disaster relief, critical goods delivery, and more.“
“My operational background as a fighter pilot and experimental test pilot keeps me relentlessly focused on safety, mission requirements, and real-world usability. My Wharton MBA adds the discipline of scale: understanding unit economics, capital efficiency, partnerships, and the operational rigor needed to build a sustainable program, especially when working across both commercial and defense markets. Together, that combination helps me evaluate where the aircraft delivers the most value, how to de-risk execution, and how to position Horizon to win contracts by meeting end-user needs with a safe, high-performing, robust platform.”
Julian Orkisz: Horizon Aircraft has a strong representation of pilots within its leadership. How does that pilot-driven culture, one you contribute to as a distinguished former RCAF pilot, translate into the design of Horizon’s eVTOL aircraft and the services offered alongside them?
Jameel Janjua: “What sets Horizon Aircraft apart from its peers is we are operationally driven with a leadership team made up in part of former fighter pilots, commercial pilots, private pilots, and helicopter pilots with decades of collective flight experience. This makes Horizon Aircraft have a safety-driven and operationally-focused culture rather than be classified as merely being pilot-driven.”
“That shows up directly in what we design and how we intend to support it in service – an aircraft that is designed around mission realities rather than theoretical assumptions. Our flight experience is matched by a diverse set of backgrounds and skillsets including financial, business acumen, and deep experience in efficient business operations. Having this level of experience and knowledge in leadership is not universal across AAM and eVTOL companies but are crucial ingredients to deliver a safe aircraft that will perform exceptionally well in real world applications.”
Julian Orkisz: “Drawing from your experience as a test pilot for Virgin Galactic, an organization known for its cutting-edge spaceflight technologies, what similarities or shared philosophies do you see with Horizon Aircraft, which offers a unique and practical fan-in-wing eVTOL design?”
Jameel Janjua: “Over my career I have had the good fortune to work with amazing teams on many innovative aerospace programs in both the government and private sectors that involve cutting edge technologies. In my experience, the very best aerospace development and flight test teams are purposeful in how they encourage their staff to welcome input from diverse professional backgrounds and perspectives, as well as value input and support from external organizations such as government, academia, research, and industry partners.”
“A culture that encourages teams to take a dynamic approach to solve problems without overly-rigid structures can be very helpful in many cases. That combination of deep technical ambition with disciplined execution, maps closely to what Horizon is building with a practical fan-in-wing eVTOL approach that is designed to work in real-world missions.”
Julian Orkisz: “As both the spaceflight and eVTOL/AAM sectors are still in their relative infancy, where do you see opportunities for cooperation or cross-pollination between these two aerospace domains?”
Jameel Janjua: “The most successful teams I’ve worked with across aerospace domains have had an almost obsessive focus on being purposeful about risk mitigation, as well as understanding the needs of the end-user and their missions. That relentless focus on how the customer, whether government or civilian, will use the vehicle and what they then value in design is critical.“
“This is where cross-pollination is strongest – shared test discipline, safety culture, and mission-focused design thinking, plus leveraging external ecosystems across government, academia, research, and industry partners. Those approaches help new aerospace categories mature faster, reduce risk, and deliver vehicles that are not only innovative, but operationally useful.”
Horizon Aircraft
- Established in 2013
- Founded by Brian Robinson and Brandon Robinson
- CEO: Brandon Robinson
- Headquartered in Lindsay, Ontario, Canada
- Manufacturer of the Cavorite X7
- Hybrid-electric
- Unique Fan-in-Wing design
- Range: 800 km (500 miles) plus AAR
- Max cruise speed: 450 km/hr (280 mph)
- 7 seater (1 pilot plus 6 passengers)
- Max ferry range: 1,450 km (900 miles)
- Max gross weight: 2,500 kg (5,000 lbs)
A Fighter Pilot In Great Company (Literally)
Jameel Janjua joins an elite group of professionals at Horizon Aircraft. Affectionately dubbed the “Can-Do Crew” 🇨🇦 by eVTOL Buzz and Horizon’s many fans, the team is composed of jet fighter, private, commercial, and helicopter pilots, as well as highly experienced engineers, all united by a single mission: to design and manufacture an eVTOL where safety, performance, and reliability come above all else.
That safety-first mindset was a recurring theme throughout our interview with Mr. Janjua. With his background, he understands better than most what it means to trust both the machine he’s piloting and the people who built and maintain it. When you’re flying high above the earth, that trust is everything, and it needs to be earned. Horizon Aircraft is taking all the right steps to prove that with their Cavorite X7. From their pursuit of FIKI certification, to the safety and redundancy of the Cavorite X7’s 14 lift fans located in the wings (which can safely hover the aircraft with 30% of the fans disabled), they are showing that safety is more than a slogan for Horizon, it’s a philosophy in practice.
By extension, Horizon’s relentless adherence to safety and practicality, especially as it relates to mission-specific goals makes it clear that the company is focused on results, not hype or novelty. There’s a quiet irony in that philosophy. The Cavorite X7’s fan-in-wing design is undeniably novel and visually striking, yet it wasn’t conceived to stand out, it was born out of necessity.
That distinction matters. The design exists not to chase attention, but to solve real operational challenges, proving that innovation and practicality are not opposing forces. In Horizon’s case, they are inseparable. The Cavorite X7 demonstrates that when safety and mission requirements lead the conversation, genuinely original ideas can emerge naturally, without sacrificing trust, reliability, or purpose.
Some of Mr. Janjua’s comments regarding practicality and mission focus come to mind:
“That shows up directly in what we design and how we intend to support it in service – an aircraft that is designed around mission realities rather than theoretical assumptions.“
“Horizon is building with a practical fan-in-wing eVTOL approach that is designed to work in real-world missions.”
“Horizon Aircraft’s Cavorite X7 will be an aircraft that proves extremely useful for critical missions.”
Below are two fellow fighter pilots on Horizon’s team:
Brandon Robinson (Call sign “Repo”)
- Co-Founder and CEO of Horizon Aircraft
- Royal Canadian Air Force Fighter Pilot
- Aircraft:
- CF-18
- CF-18 Fighter Pilot Instructor
- Graduate of Canadian “Top Gun” program
- 2 decades of service
- $4B worth of projects managed
- F-35 acquisition, and others
- Aircraft:
- Line Pilot at Top Aces
- Royal Military College of Canada
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering
- Royal Roads University
- Master’s of Business Administration (MBA)
- Co-authored multiple aerospace patents
Phil ‘Royal’ Kelly
- Senior Vice President of Business Development & Growth at Horizon Aircraft
- Royal Marines Commando
- Fighter Pilot
- Sea Harrier FA2
- Harrier II (Harrier GR7/9A)
- F/A-18EF Super Hornet
- Head of Strike and Maritime Aviation
- Oversaw the incorporation of F-35B Lightning into UK fleet
- Head of Future Aviation
- Queen’s University Belfast
- Master of Science (MS), Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
- Joint Forces Staff College
- Master of Science (MS), Strategy and Operational Planning
Medical Needs
Source: Horizon Aircraft
“I think there are tons of missions right now, like EMS, organ transport, getting people to the hospital in a safer, faster manner, reaching out and delivering critical goods to remote communities, disaster relief. Rolling in and helping out with a hurricane, and you can deploy quicker and a much more economical fashion so it doesn’t cost as much…. some specific fire missions.. There are a lot of missions right now….. and again it comes down to the mission first.There’s a lot of very cool missions right now that these machines [Cavorite X7] can do, Those missions require economics, speed, payload, those sorts of things. But it does start with mission first.” – Brandon Robinson, CEO and Co-founder of Horizon Aircraft (in an interview with eVTOL buzz in March, 2025)
At 450 km/hr (280 mph) the Cavorite X7 can fly at almost twice the speed as the Archer Midnight (241 km/hr, 150 mph)
When seconds count in emergency medical situations, speed matters!
At 450 km/hr (280 mph), Horizon’s Cavorite X7 hybrid eVTOL aircraft will get the patient to the hospital quicker than it’s fully-electric competitors.
Medical use cases are paving the way for most other AAM sectors benefitting from its positive societal impact. Emerging economies are likely to roll out these applications on a wider scale first as they have a higher proportion of underserved areas (with underdeveloped infrastructure and medical supply chains). Notwithstanding this, developed countries will also benefit, e.g. in cases of natural catastrophes.
Source: Buckup, S., & González, J. (2024). Advanced Air Mobility: Shaping the future of aviation. In Kearney and World Economic Forum, WHITE PAPER
The Horizon Cavorite X7 also compares favorably to other, more expensive long-distance conventional VTOL aircraft in speed, yet at a fraction of the cost. Such a more affordable price entry point for long-distance VTOL aircraft will allow municipalities, non-profits, and many more communities to serve their populations with critical medical transport, evacuation services, and search and rescue. Current realities such as aging populations requiring greater medical services, or the increase in adverse weather and forest fires (which may be caused by climate change) will only cause a greater demand for such aircraft as the Horizon Cavorite X7.
HOVR wing system
Horizon Aircraft developed an ingenious and patented fan-in-wing design. The profound, yet “simplicity” in Horizon’s design is a true engineering marvel. Unlike the quadcopter-style vehicles aimed at short urban hops, the Cavorite X7 is a hybrid-electric aircraft with fixed wings, a rear propeller, and 14 electric ducted fans embedded in its wings for vertical takeoff and landing. Once airborne, the fans are sealed by closing panels, allowing the aircraft to transition into efficient forward flight.
The Cavorite X7 features a revolutionary fan-in-wing design that blends the flexibility of a helicopter with the performance and speed of a traditional aircraft.
Its transforming wings house 14 high-powered lift fans, delivering the vertical thrust needed for smooth and efficient takeoff.
Once the Cavorite X7 reaches a safe altitude and speed, sliding panels conceal the lift fans, allowing it to transition into conventional airplane flight. For landing, it can use a standard runway, or redeploy the fans to touch down on a helipad. Horizon Aircraft claims the Cavorite X7 can even land in a space as small as a tennis court!
These 14 fans also provide safety and redundancy. Testing with a prototype showed that the Cavorite X7 can maintain a stable hover with 30% of its fans disabled.
Jameel Janjua on the Horizon
In summary, Jameel Janjua’s arrival at Horizon Aircraft feels like a natural continuation of a life spent pursuing excellence in the air. His perspective, shaped by fighter jets, spacecraft, and decades of test-pilot rigor echoes through every word he shares about safety, discipline, and mission specific goals. This aligns seamlessly with Horizon’s vision.
The Cavorite X7, with its emphasis on practicality and mission-specific capability, represents exactly the kind of aircraft Mr. Janjua believes the future demands: one built not for spectacle, but for purpose. Its design is rooted in real-world needs: range, reliability, efficiency, and above all, safety. These are the qualities he has staked his career on, and they are the same qualities Horizon refuses to compromise.
As Horizon Aircraft pushes toward certification and the next phase of flight innovation, Jameel Janjua’s voice adds both experience and gravity to the journey ahead. With leaders like him guiding the mission, the Can-Do Crew isn’t just building an aircraft, they’re building confidence in a safer, smarter, and more capable future of flight.
Both Julian Orkisz, Editor-in-Chief, and Samantha Reichert, Business Editor at eVTOL buzz would like to personally thank Mr. Jameel Janjua for taking the time to graciously answer our questions for this article.
We would like to end with one of his inspiring quotes:
“I think it’s an important message to share. A lot of time we talk about all the things that went right in our lives – and that’s really important, and is inspirational as well, especially for young people and college students – but I think it’s even more powerful to hear the backstory of these successes, when all hopes seem lost in the pursuit of a dream.” – Jameel Janjua (in a December 19, 2024 interview with Penn Today)
More Info:
Horizon’s official press release: click here
Why Horizon Aircraft’s ultra-dependable Cavorite X7 will be the “go to” long distance eVTOL: click here
Wharton MBA student is out of this world: click here
Jameel Janjua’s Wikipedia page: click here
Jameel Janjua (professional website): click here
Major Jameel Janjua (biography): click here
Alumni Jameel Janjua RMC Class of 2000 Prepares for Upcoming Mission on Galactic07: click here
The Royal Canadian Geographical Society award recipients: click here
Galactic 03: click here
Galactic 04: click here
Galactic 04 (2nd press release): click here
Galactic 05: click here
Unity 25: click here