Daher-SOCATA
Horizon
The Horizon is a four‑seat, single‑engine, low‑wing aircraft produced by the French company Daher‑Socata (now part of Daher). Its development began in the late 1980s as a modern replacement for the aging Socata ST‑10 Diplomate, with the first prototype taking to the sky in 1988. Certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency in 1990, the Horizon entered series production in 1991 and quickly gained a reputation for combining sleek aerodynamics with the robustness of an all‑metal structure.
Key features include a 180‑horsepower Lycoming IO‑360‑ES engine, a fully retractable tricycle landing gear, and a spacious cabin equipped with Side‑Stick controls, integrated GPS/EFIS avionics and a glass cockpit that was advanced for its class at the time. The aircraft’s carbon‑fiber wing tips and optimized wing‑to‑fuselage ratio provide a cruise speed of 140 knots and a range exceeding 1 000 nm, while its low operating costs make it attractive to both flight schools and private owners.
The Horizon’s significance lies in its role as a bridge between traditional piston‑engine trainers and modern high‑performance pressurized aircraft, influencing later designs such as the TBM series and reinforcing Daher’s position as an innovator in general aviation.
Key features include a 180‑horsepower Lycoming IO‑360‑ES engine, a fully retractable tricycle landing gear, and a spacious cabin equipped with Side‑Stick controls, integrated GPS/EFIS avionics and a glass cockpit that was advanced for its class at the time. The aircraft’s carbon‑fiber wing tips and optimized wing‑to‑fuselage ratio provide a cruise speed of 140 knots and a range exceeding 1 000 nm, while its low operating costs make it attractive to both flight schools and private owners.
The Horizon’s significance lies in its role as a bridge between traditional piston‑engine trainers and modern high‑performance pressurized aircraft, influencing later designs such as the TBM series and reinforcing Daher’s position as an innovator in general aviation.
