Vertical Aerospace
Vertical Aerospace | VA-X2 | Flight 2019
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This is no distant dream, it is today’s reality.
A reminder of our journey - what we have completed, and what is to come.
Lock in and enjoy the drama and beauty of a full piloted wingborne flight test through the lens of our camera chase aircraft over the Cotswolds.
We’ve completed our piloted wingborne phase, and the Vertical team is gearing up for full, piloted transition flights. Stay tuned.
This cinematic video captures the VX4 prototype in open airspace, flown by our world-class test pilot team as part of our ongoing Flightpath 2030 certification programme.
🎥 Watch big. Turn the volume up.
This is what the future of flight looks like - quiet, clean, and closer than you think.
We were honoured to welcome British astronaut and test pilot Tim Peake to the VX4 a few weeks ago.
Tim shared his perspective of the VX4 and how electric flight is going to change the way the world moves.
He also shares where he would like to fly the VX4 first...
🎥 Watch our highlights from the world’s largest military airshow.
hashtag#VX4 hashtag#RIAT2025 hashtag#VerticalAerospace hashtag#ElectricAviation hashtag#FutureOfFlight
This morning, our VX4 prototype completed its second airport-to-airport flight, returning from RAF Fairford to Cotswold Airport - wrapping up an incredible weekend at the world’s largest military airshow.
As the only electric aircraft on display, we showcased the future of clean, mission-ready flight to thousands of visitors, defence leaders, and industry partners.
✈️ 2 airport-to-airport flights
👋 175,000+ attendees
🌍 27 nations, 224 aircraft, 41 air chiefs
Thank you to everyone who visited - and to the Vertical team who made it happen.
On Wednesday 16 July, the piloted VX4 prototype flew 17 miles from Vertical’s Flight Test Centre at Cotswold Airport to RAF Fairford, for the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), the world’s largest military air show, where it will be on display from 18-20 July.
The VX4 prototype reached speeds of 115mph and an altitude of 1800ft; the flight marked the aircraft’s first landing at a public location.
By offering a ready-to-fly solution, customers can rely on Bristow’s 75 years of experience to deliver pilots, maintenance, insurance and other services vital to air carrier operations, while Vertical supplies our market-leading aircraft.
As an early partner who has helped shape the VX4, we couldn’t be happier to announce this extension of our relationship, as we make eVTOL a reality.
Last Thursday, our piloted VX4 prototype conducted its first wingborne flight — taking to the skies like a conventional aircraft, soaring over the UK countryside under real-world conditions.
Quiet. Efficient. Electric.
This is what the future of flight looks like.
Watch the moment for yourself 👇
Running a measured flight testing campaign is an essential culmination of design and engineering work, and a step on the journey to certifying the safest possible eVTOL.
This low-power, quiet, and range-efficient mode of flight is key to making electric air travel practical, scalable, and economically viable, bringing our eVTOL a step closer to market.
The companies will share expertise, personnel and testing environments, to accelerate the VX4’s development, help both companies achieve the highest certification standards (10-9) for some of the most critical systems that make the VX4 safer and easier to fly, and quickly move to production.
The agreement covers the aircraft management system, including the Honeywell Anthem flight deck and the flight controls system, including Honeywell’s compact fly-by-wire system. Vertical has also selected the new Honeywell Inceptor for its production aircraft.
Hear more about the announcement from our CEO, Stuart Simpson, and Honeywell Aerospace Technologies’ David Shilliday.
Get used to hearing this number - it’s the certification standard that will ensure the VX4 will be as safe as commercial airliners.
It is why we're focused on a piloted, full-scale flight test campaign in the UK - to de-risk our path to certification. Vertical is targeting this uniquely high certification standard, to allow the VX4 to fly in any market, making stringent real-world flight testing absolutely essential.
eVTOL propellers are unique in aerospace, unlocking both vertical and forward flight. We are designing our own fore, and aft propellers – specifically tuned to the mission requirements of the VX4. These propellers are a key step to certifying to 10-9 airliner equivalent safety levels.
Chris Coates and Joe Moore lead the team, helping us create a (quiet) revolution.
Watch episode three of The Leading Edge next week to find out.
#eVTOL #VX4 #Aviation
As Digital Systems Director, Vic Terry’s team is responsible for ensuring that Vertical Aerospace can work at pace, without compromising on product, or safety.
From data pipelines, to engineering principles we fine-tune our approach to design and testing. Ensuring that we can produce the very best eVTOL possible, that meets a 10-9 certification standard.
Thandiwe Ngoma, Head of Functional Vehicle Design, explains how Vertical is approaching the task of bringing the safest and most versatile eVTOL to market – focusing on safety, and traceability.
Only with a world-class team can we certify the VX4 to 10-9, the equivalent safety standard of a commercial airliner. Our ‘Leading Edge’ series delves into how we’re achieving exactly that.
Our work with European Consortium SESAR, helps us do just that. We recently hosted demonstrations as part of SESARS’ operate anywhere (OperA) project, bringing together partners to test bespoke systems which lower pilot workload ahead of real-world demonstration flights.
Every piloted flight test moves us closer to making electric aviation a reality. After completing the latest phase of flight testing, we’re moving into the most advanced stage yet.
We can’t wait to share more with you as we progress...
We regularly bring the customer community together, to share updates, and gain insight from the collective expertise they bring, from across the globe.
Late last year, the visit coincided with our phase two flight tests, and it was a privilege to showcase our aircraft, in flight.
This strategy helps us develop the safest and most versatile eVTOL.
#VX4 #eVTOL
Here's a short taste of some of the piloted flights we've flown so far this year.
#eVTOL #VX4 #Aerospace #FlightTest #AvGeek
From flying our most advanced prototype with a pilot on board, to launching our plan to pioneer electric aviation, Flightpath 2030 - alongside raising funds, and developing our proprietary technology. All whilst working closely with our partners to design the safest and most versatile eVTOL aircraft. It’s safe to say last year was a huge success.
Stay tuned as we continue at pace into 2025.
With the expertise of our incredible team, we’re pioneering electric aviation with the VX4.
#VX4 #eVTOL
Flying piloted, untethered puts us in line with a handful of companies that have reached this milestone of eVTOL flight, only made possible by our world-class team.
#VX4 #eVTOL #Aerospace
Our first untethered flight has taken place, with our Chief Test Pilot Simon Davies in the cockpit.
This is a huge achievement for Vertical, reached by only a handful of companies and cementing our place at the forefront of eVTOL technology. All made possible by the determination, ambition and collaboration of our team.
Stay tuned for more updates across the end of the year.
From upgraded components to new supplier technology, AC2 is a far more capable aircraft than AC1.
We're proud to work with some of the best aerospace suppliers, including Honeywell, Dassault Systèmes, Hanwha Aviation, Syensqo, Leonardo, GKN Aerospace, and Molicel.
This aircraft will allow us to undertake piloted transition flights as we continue to pioneer electric aviation.
Thanks to the commitment of our team, partners and suppliers we’re now progressing onto Stage 2, Thrustborne flying. This will be untethered, at a higher speed, and height with our Chief Test Pilot Justin ‘Jif’ Paines in the cockpit.
#VX4 #eVTOL #Aviation
Take a look behind-the-scenes at the process of bringing design and engineering together at GKN Aerospace Global Technology Centre and our own Flight Test Centre.
We wanted to ensure that all of our 366-strong team at Vertical shared the experience of ‘wheels up’ (in person or remotely), in recognition of their part in pioneering electric aviation.
We have 28 open roles - check out our website to see if your dream job is waiting for you: vertical-aerospace.com/careers
#eVTOL #VX4 #Aerospace #Aviation #shorts
Thousands of hours of work from the Vertical team led to the moment last week when Jif piloted the new VX4 prototype for the first time. From here we’re focused on progressing the flight test campaign safely, and efficiently up to crewed transition.
A hyper-efficient test, learn, build model has allowed us to rapidly prototype and improve our battery technology generation on generation.
The VEC is our initial production line for battery packs destined for our aircraft, and has supplied the latest prototype. Watch the video to hear the impact the VEC has on Vertical from Head of Powertrain – Limhi Somerville.
#VX4 #eVTOL
From mission rehearsals to benchmarking performance, our pilot-in-the-loop simulator gives our team the closest possible experience to flying the VX4 without leaving the office.
By enabling the team to routinely practise together, we ensure the highest safety standards whilst accelerating our upcoming flight test programme.
#eVTOL #VX4 #Simulator #FlightTest
The Vertical Integrated Test Lab, VITL for short, is our 'Iron Bird' - a dedicated facility to integrate & test real aircraft hardware and flight control computers.
The space lets us verify how our proprietary technology performs alongside that of our Tier One partners.
#evtol #VX4 #aerospace
Utilising their novel AR software to assist with the placement and verification of Click Bond fasteners, the Vertical build team can work faster and maintain the accuracy necessary for eVTOL production.
Working with our global partners and their innovative technologies is central to our VX4 programme, and we’ll be sharing more build updates later this month!
#pioneeringelectricaviation
We are aiming for entry into service with a 220Wh/kg battery enabling the VX4 to conduct back-to-back missions, with fast- charging cycles in-between, and minimised impact on the battery packs’ cycle life.
The only full-scale eVTOL aircraft in the country, the VX4 lifted, hovered, flew and landed, powered solely by the thrust of the cutting-edge battery-powered propulsion system.
Electric flight is within reach.
Watch our latest behind-the-scenes video of the summit here!
This second fuselage is built to incorporate more of our technologies, including our proprietary battery packs made at the Vertical Energy Centre, and our second-generation propellors, developed over five years of in-house testing.
It has been no small undertaking and is a perfect illustration of why we're so proud of our partnerships with leading aerospace organisations, which have allowed us to leverage their deep aerospace expertise as we pioneer electric aviation.
#eVOTL #Aviation #regionepuglia @regionepuglia @LeonardoCompany
The VEC will not only support the design, test, manufacture and commercialisation of the VX4’s custom-made battery pack but it will serve as an innovation hub, continuing the UK’s grand tradition of pioneering aerospace technology.
Each of our customers and partners is a leader in their field, and engaging them in the VX4 programme is key to developing our eVTOL aircraft.
We'd like to thank our customers AirAsia, Air Greenland, Avolon Babcock, Bristow Group, FLYINGGROUP, GOL Linhas Aéreas Gözen Holding, Iberojet, Marubeni Corporation and Virgin Atlantic, alongside our partners CAE, NATS and Honeywell for making it all possible.
#eVOTL #aviation #evs #electricaviation
From Kuala Lumpur Airport to the city in just 17 minutes, or from Bangkok airport to town in 11 minutes – all for less than $50 per person. Our partnership with AirAsia will transform travel through safer, quieter and sustainable aviation, and we loved hosting Co-Founder and CEO Tony Fernandes at the Vertical HQ. Watch the video for a behind-the-scenes view of the day.
One of the first end-to-end demonstrations in the AAM industry, we led several scenarios alongside USSP partners Altitude Angel, infrastructure provider Skyports Infrastructure with auto-land system capabilities provider Honeywell.


