New Horizon Aircraft Ltd. (NASDAQ: HOVR) has begun wind tunnel testing of ice protection technologies for its Cavorite X7 hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, the company said in a press release.

The testing, which started in July 2026, involves small coupon samples featuring anti-icing technologies developed by the University of Toronto. The work is part of a $10.5 million INSAT-funded project conducted in partnership with Flight Test Centre of Excellence, also known as Cert Center Canada (3C), aimed at achieving all-weather certification for the aircraft.

The Cavorite X7 is being developed with a design intended to operate in winter conditions, including Flight Into Known Icing (FIKI) certification, which would distinguish it from conventional helicopters and open-rotor electric VTOL aircraft that are frequently grounded by cold and poor weather.

Dr. John Maris, founder of 3C, said the combination of the X7's design, 3C's certification expertise, and the University of Toronto's technology could enable the aircraft to achieve FIKI certification and deliver year-round regional air mobility.

Brandon Robinson, co-founder and CEO of Horizon Aircraft, said the aircraft was designed from the start for Canadian winters, targeting both remote communities and commercial operators. Robinson added that certified all-weather capability would support higher aircraft utilization for operators.

Many northern and isolated communities in Canada currently rely on helicopters for critical goods and services, aircraft that are often grounded by adverse weather conditions, according to the company.