In a recent analysis of industry data, Horizon Aircraft, a Canada-based leader in hybrid electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) aerial vehicles, found a remarkable 26% increase in global air ambulance departures between January and July 2023 compared to the same period in 2019. In Canada, the jump was even more pronounced at 97%.
With the global air ambulance services market expected to nearly double from $5.84 billion in 2022 to $9.83 billion in 2030, the rise in departures is indicative of the urgent need for quick and efficient medical assistance, often in areas hard to reach via conventional means.
Air ambulances, equipped with essential medical amenities, play a vital role in providing medical aid during emergencies where land-based aid would be inadequate. Brandon Robinson, CEO of Horizon Aircraft, emphasized that the increased demand stems from the rise in accidents and life-threatening situations requiring swift transport of patients.
In response to this trend, Horizon is building a new eVTOL aircraft, the “Cavorite X5”, that is expected to be operational by 2026. Promising a faster and cost-effective solution for longer-range regional passenger or cargo and air ambulance services, the Cavorite X5 combines the vertical take-off and landing capabilities of a helicopter with the speed and low-drag configuration of a traditional airplane.
The Cavorite X5 will have a maximum passenger capacity of four plus a pilot, a payload of 500 kg, and an average range of 800 km with full fuel reserves. Its design includes a hybrid electric system that can recharge the battery array in-flight while providing additional system redundancy.
Horizon’s pioneering technology has already gained significant traction within the industry. Its Cavorite X5 design won several grants, a US Department of Defence advanced research and development contract award, and is ahead of its competitors, boasting a large-scale prototype already in flight.
