Yaw Heard it Here: Horizon Aircraft’s New Flight Dynamics Model from Marshall Aerospace Furthers Its Pitch to Investors, Keeps Certification-Centered Design on a Roll

Horizon Aircraft has announced progress in the development of its Cavorite X7 eVTOL aircraft following the delivery of an initial six degrees of freedom (6-DOF) flight dynamics model by Marshall Aerospace, supporting the advancement of the aircraft’s flight control system and certification activities.

This milestone with the Cavorite X7′s six degrees of freedom (6 DOF) flight dynamics model is yet another example of the Canadian OEM’s surge in meaningful partnerships since last year. Furthermore, it’s a move in the right direction as Horizon gets closer to completing its full-scale prototype, which once built, could sway additional investment into the Cavorite X7 as a viable solution for the critical mission needs of both militaries and civil organizations around the world.

Background

The collaboration began after Horizon Aircraft issued a competitive tender in 2025 seeking specialist flight dynamics and control systems support as the Cavorite X7 program moved toward key design, development and certification milestones. Marshall Aerospace’s Aero Engineering Services business was selected for the work based on its extensive experience in aircraft modifications, special mission conversions, and applied engineering programs involving aircraft dynamics, stability and control.

Marshall’s engineering team has since undertaken detailed analysis of the Cavorite X7’s aerodynamic,propulsion and mass characteristics to develop a 6-DOF flight model capable of predicting how the aircraft responds to pilot inputs and varying flight conditions.

A 6-DOF model is a high-fidelity mathematical simulation that predicts how an aircraft moves through space by accounting for all six possible motions: forward/backward, left/right, and up/down translation, as well as roll, pitch, and yaw rotation. For the Cavorite X7, this modeling capability is particularly important because the aircraft must seamlessly transition between vertical takeoff and landing operations and conventional wing-borne flight. By integrating aerodynamic characteristics, propulsion-system behavior, vehicle mass properties, and control inputs, the model enables engineers to evaluate performance, stability, and handling qualities across the aircraft’s entire flight envelope. The resulting simulations support flight-control system development, reduce technical risk, and provide critical data for future certification activities.

Six Degrees of Freedom (6 DOF)

• Translational Motion (3 DOF)
  • Surge: Forward/backward motion (x-axis)
  • Sway: Left/right motion (y-axis)
  • Heave: Up/down motion (z-axis)
• Rotational Motion (3 DOF)
  • Roll: Rotation about the longitudinal axis
  • Pitch: Rotation about the lateral axis
  • Yaw: Rotation about the vertical axis

For advanced air mobility developers, high-fidelity flight models play a critical role in aircraft development long before full-scale flight testing begins. Such models are used to support flight control system development, pilot-in-the-loop simulations, safety assessments and certification planning, helping manufacturers identify potential issues and optimise performance before conducting real-world flight tests.

According to Horizon Aircraft, the newly completed model will support development of the Cavorite X7’s safety-critical flight control systems and provide engineers with a platform to predict and refine aircraft handling characteristics.

“We’re delighted to support Horizon Aircraft through safety-critical development work on a product that presents new possibilities for commercial and military aviation. This programme shows how our deep engineering experience translates across complex challenges ranging from platform modifications to special mission conversions and test beds.” – Mark Hewer, Aero Engineering Services Director, Marshall Aerospace

“The delivery of the first flight model for the Cavorite X7 marks a strong start to our partnership with Marshall Aerospace. Marshall’s engineers have integrated seamlessly into our development process, serving as an extension of our team and applying their expertise to developing one of the safest, toughest, and most performant modern VTOL aircraft.” – Tom Brassington, Chief Technology Officer, Horizon Aircraft

Marshall Aerospace

• Locations:
  • Cambridge, England, UK
  • Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
  • Abu Dhabi, UAE
• Properties:
  • Cambridge City Airport
• Core Businesses:
  • Maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO)
    • Depth maintenance
    • Non-destructive testing
    • Repairs and certified parts manufacture
    • Paint facility
    • Flight test and ground running enclosure
    • Support
    • Skills and training
  • Engineering Services
    • Modernisation programmes
    • Capability enhancement
    • Certification and testing
    • Aviation training
    • Through-life management
  • Precision manufacturing
    • Complex subsytem assembly
    • Parts and components manufacture
• Trusted sub-contractor for leading primes such as:
  • Lockheed Martin
  • Boeing
  • Thales

Marshall Aerospace has built its engineering capability through extensive support of major aerospace platforms from manufacturer primes such as Boeing, including long-term work on military transport aircraft such as the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules, as well as systems integration work involving technologies from companies such as Thales Group. Across its Aero Engineering Services business, the company has contributed to aircraft modification programs, avionics and mission system integrations, and structural upgrades across both military and special mission fleets. This work often requires close attention to aircraft performance, handling qualities, and certification compliance, providing a strong foundation in applied flight dynamics and stability and control analysis. That experience directly translates into modern modeling efforts such as six degrees of freedom (6-DOF) simulations for emerging unique aircraft like the Cavorite X7.

For the Cavorite X7, which combines vertical takeoff and landing capability with conventional wing-borne flight, accurate flight dynamics modelling is a critical element in the development of its safety-critical flight control system. The model enables engineers to simulate aircraft behaviour across multiple operating conditions, helping to optimise control laws and reduce development risk ahead of future flight testing and certification activities.

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. The Cavorite X7 is a hybrid-electric aircraft with fixed wings, a rear propeller, and 12 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 12 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!

On the 15th of May 2025, a large scale prototype of the Cavorite X7 was the first large scale eVTOL in the world to transition from vertical takeoff to wingborn cruise with a fan-in-wing design.

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)

Steady Level Flight, and Steady Progress Towards Success!

With Marshall Aerospace delivering its initial software variant covering steady level flight, and models for additional flight regimes currently under development as part of the company’s ongoing support for Horizon Aircraft, the AAM community, as well as investors can see yet another example of how the company is focused on the mission-oriented goals of safety and performance. These flight dynamics models from Marshall Aerospace are a critical component for both of these. The work marks another milestone for the Cavorite X7 program as Horizon Aircraft continues to mature the technologies required to bring its hybrid eVTOL aircraft to market.

Stay tuned to eVTOL buzz for more in-depth articles about eVTOLs and Advanced Air Mobility that you won’t be able to get anywhere else; where the “buzz” takes you further than press releases and into the deep topics that matter most in the eVTOL industry.

More Info:

Horizon Aircraft (official website): click here

Marshall Group (official website): click here

Horizon Aircraft Advances Cavorite X7 Flight Model Through Partnership With Marshall Aerospace: click here

Marshall Aerospace provides initial flight model for Horizon Aircraft’s hybrid-electric VTOL: click here