Horizon Aircraft picks Beta Technologies for Cavorite X7 flight controls

New Horizon Aircraft Ltd. (NASDAQ: HOVR) has selected Beta Technologies (NYSE: BETA) to supply fly-by-wire flight control computers and software for its Cavorite X7 hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, according to a press release from the companies.

Beta's flight control computers (FCCs) will be integrated into the Cavorite X7 as Horizon Aircraft advances development, testing, and certification activities. The FCC platform was designed for VTOL aircraft and includes safety-critical software, system redundancy, and a flexible architecture. Beta developed the hardware and software to Development Assurance Level A (DAL-A), the highest level recognized by the FAA and international regulators.

The FCCs are designed to support certification under FAA Part 21.17(b) powered-lift, Part 23, and Part 25 standards, as well as Transport Canada and European Union Aviation Safety Agency requirements.

"Flight controls are at the heart of our aircraft, so the process of selecting a flight controls partner was done methodically," said Tom Brassington, Chief Technology Officer of Horizon Aircraft. "We were attracted to BETA because of their sophisticated VTOL-specific FBW platform, a shared engineering philosophy, and the ability to support the rigorous long-term program requirements of aircraft certification."

Because Horizon Aircraft will use the same FCC hardware as Beta's own aircraft fleet, both companies said they expect to benefit from shared economies of scale in component costs and manufacturing.

Kyle Clark, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Beta Technologies, said the flight control computers were built to meet DAL-A software and hardware development standards and are purpose-built for powered-lift aircraft.

The FBW architecture is also designed to support future integration of autonomous aircraft operations. Beta's flight control computers are part of a broader portfolio of components the company offers to aircraft manufacturers, alongside electric motors and battery systems.

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