Horizon Aircraft Ltd. (NASDAQ: HOVR) appointed Richard Alexander as Chief Engineer of Certified Programs to advance certification and development of its Cavorite X7 hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.

Alexander brings 38 years of aircraft development experience, having previously held engineering positions at Bombardier, served as Head of Flight Physics at Vertical Aerospace for its VX4 eVTOL program, and worked as CAE's Electric Aircraft Integrator on the battery-electric conversion of the Piper Archer training aircraft.

"I am really excited to be on board with the Horizon Aircraft team to help develop a vehicle with real-life utility," Alexander said in a statement. "The ability to take-off and land vertically using the distributed electric propulsion system and then deploy using conventional propulsion allows rapid, extended duration deployment to remote regions with little or no infrastructure, enabling a myriad of mission possibilities."

The Toronto-based company said Alexander will work with Co-Founder Brian Robinson to help deliver an operationally ready and certifiable aircraft. CEO Brandon Robinson stated that Alexander's appointment brings engineering leadership and certification expertise to strengthen the company's path toward commercialization.

Horizon Aircraft is developing hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft designed to fly most missions in traditional wing-borne flight. The company plans to scale production following successful testing and certification to meet demand from regional operators, emergency service providers, and military customers, according to the press release.