Vertical Aerospace has completed the first phase of piloted flight testing with its new full-scale prototype of the VX4 eVTOL aircraft. The UK company reported on September 12 that it has now made 20 flights from its flight test center at Cotswold Airport, covering 70 individual test points.
The first phase of a flight test program started in July, and Vertical hopes it will lead to UK type certification in 2026. In piloted tethered flights and ground test runs, the company evaluated various flight and operational situations to validate the prototype’s safety performance, including in circumstances that exceed anticipated operating conditions. These included a simulation in which one of its eight electric propulsion units (EPUs) failed.
During the tests, Vertical’s engineers collected and assessed 35,000 flight and system parameters. The company said these tests verified the safety performance needed to expand the flight test envelope to piloted thrust-borne flight. The first phase of testing also included ground vibration testing and evaluations of the powertrain and propellors.
The Vertical team conducted more advanced low and high-speed taxi tests with the VX4, including deliberately failing EPUs at speed to confirm that the aircraft could still be safely controlled. The company is now working with the UK Civil Aviation Authority to secure the permit to fly that it needs to start the second phase of flight testing, which will include thrust-borne sorties. Phase three will focus on wing-borne flights, and phase four will see the key transition from vertical to horizontal flight.
Another Prototype Set To Join Flight Testing
Bristol-based Vertical is now building a second full-scale prototype that will allow it to expand flight testing. Lessons learned from both of these aircraft will be used for the design and development of a production-conforming version for certification.
“It took us just one week to go from our first ground test to our chief pilot flying the VX4, and we have been making outstanding progress since then,” said Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace. “We continue to prove the safety and performance of our design and technology, which we believe to be market leading. Completing this first phase of testing is a significant feat for any eVTOL company and shows the strength of our aircraft, team, and partners as we progress through our flight test program and head towards our goal of creating a better way to travel.”
According to Vertical, it holds pre-orders for 1,500 aircraft, which it said are worth $6 billion—implying a unit price of $4 million. Prospective customers include Virgin Atlantic Airways, American Airlines, Japan Airlines, Brazil’s GOL, and helicopter operator Bristow.
This week, the company also announced that Olsen Actuators and Drives is providing primary flight control actuation systems for its aircraft. The UK-based company has provided actuation and drives for all of Vertical’s earlier pre-production test aircraft, including the latest prototype.