Designed For Multiple Missions On Land, Water, Snow

It seems that over the past few years, there has been a lot of interest in developing amphibious sport airplanes geared to the LSA segment of the market. But the Horizon X2, which has been in development since 2013, is more of a utility airplane designed to operate from land, water, ice, or snow.

According to the company website, the idea for the airplane grew from founder Brian Robinson's passion for making general aviation better, and for making a sophisticated and safe flying machine that was accessible to the average pilot.

When Robinson, an aeronautical engineer and co-founder of Horizon Aircraft Inc., realized that over half of the serious amphibious aircraft accidents involved landing in water with the landing gear inadvertently selected down, he designed a landing gear system that could land on any surface in any position without harming the aircraft or its precious cargo. When Brian saw awkward landing gear systems that had to be reconfigured for landing on snow, he designed a system that could land on any surface and extend and retract while the aircraft was on the ground at maximum weight. He designed and tested a new power lever system that greatly simplifies operation that can allow the aircraft to backup on the land for ease of maneuvering. His unique tri-hull design has been proven to add stability, comfort, and durability for extended use. Its innovative, environmentally friendly composite structure will eliminate salt-water damage worries. The company says the unique, re-configurable cabin will allow for multiple variants that are useful for medevac, long-range transport, surveillance roles, and potential for Unmanned Air Vehicle operations.

The company envisions the airplane as being powered by a hybrid-electric engine, and is currently pursuing such a system.

Now the company is seeking investors for the Horizon X2, and they have already met with some success; over $2 million toward their $4 million goal has been invested, according to the website. The company expects to finish its prototype within two years of initial Phase 1 financing of $1.50 million and then use the prototype to sell amateur-built aircraft. These sales will finance the redesign and progressive engineering, moving towards Transport Canada certification that will happen within three years from the prototype’s first test flight. Certified production will then commence and the Horizon X2 will begin its journey as the only modern certified amphibious aircraft in North America.

The Series A financing round is projected to close in August of 2015. The minimum investment is $50K for Preferred A shares with an option for a Guaranteed Production Number Certificate that will secure an early production number aircraft. Early investor in this opportunity will have the option to re-sell the valuable production number certificate later as demand increases.

(Images from Horizon Aircraft website)

FMI: http://www.horizonaircraft.com/