VERTICAL AEROSPACE

Vertical Aerospace achieves milestone in electric aviation testing

Vertical Aerospace, a global aerospace and technology company that is pioneering electric aviation, has reached a significant milestone in its electric aviation testing programme.

The company successfully completed its first piloted thrustborne flight manoeuvres, marking a major step forward in the development of its VX4 aircraft.

This achievement came after the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approved an expansion of Vertical's Permit to Fly. This approval allowed the company to transition from piloted thrustborne hover to piloted thrustborne low-speed flight manoeuvres at altitude. The latest flight, which included roll, yaw, and spot turn manoeuvres, was piloted by Simon Davies, Vertical’s chief test pilot.

Completing these initial piloted thrustborne manoeuvres at its Flight Test Centre makes Vertical only the second company worldwide to achieve this critical step using a full-scale vectored thrust eVTOL aircraft.

Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, commented on the achievement: “Starting the year with this milestone is a fantastic achievement and testament to the dedication of our team and partners. Becoming one of only two companies globally to conduct piloted thrustborne flight manoeuvres in a full-scale vectored thrust eVTOL underscores the progress we’re making toward our Flightpath 2030 strategy and our vision to transform the way the world moves. The team is now focused on completing this phase while we prepare for the significant next step of wingborne flight.”

The VX4 aircraft has now advanced from piloted hover flight to piloted low-speed manoeuvres using lift generated by the propellers. These thrustborne flights are designed to assess various aspects of the aircraft, including stability, battery efficiency, control characteristics, aerodynamics, structural and dynamic loads, and performance across different speeds. This enables further assessment of how the VX4 behaves under real-world flight conditions.

Vertical Aerospace is also working with the CAA to expand its Permit to Fly, paving the way for Phase 3 — wingborne flight tests. This phase will include flying beyond the airfield boundaries and will serve as a mini-certification of the prototype, laying the groundwork for the VX4’s full certification.

To support the growing demands of its flight test programme, Vertical has appointed Tim Eldridge as a test pilot. With over two decades of flight test experience in the Royal Navy, including testing aircraft such as the Sea King, Merlin, Chinook, and Lynx, Tim brings exceptional expertise to the team. His prior roles at Babcock, QinetiQ, and Airbus Helicopters further enhance Vertical’s flight test capabilities.

www.vertical-aerospace.com

Vivaero