Vertical Aerospace has seen its latest full scale VX4 prototype achieve piloted, untethered vertical take off and landing for the first time as Phase 2 of its flight test programme begins.

The prototype, powered by battery packs delivering up to 1.4MW of peak power, surpassed expectations in hover performance, control and stability. Testing will now progress to low-speed manoeuvres using lift generated by the propellers at Vertical flight test centre at Cotswold airport, UK.

Thrustborne flights are designed to assess the aircraft’s stability, battery efficiency, control characteristics, aerodynamics, structural and dynamic loads, and performance across different speeds, enabling further assessment of how the VX4 behaves under real-world flight conditions. This marks an expansion of the VX4’s flight envelope beyond the initial tethered hover condition in Phase 1, as the prototype continues to operate under more demanding conditions, ensuring it meets the most stringent safety and regulatory standards.

The second of four testing phases follows the UK CAA’ expansion of Vertical’s Permit to Fly. To secure this expansion, Vertical submitted extensive documentation verifying the VX4 prototype’s safety under Phase 2 conditions. This included systems and structural validations, Phase 1 outcomes, flight test protocols, engineering specifications and detailed operational procedures.

CEO Stuart Simpson says: “It’s great to see the VX4 throw off the tethers and move to the next phase of our piloted test flight programme. We now enter a realm that very few companies in the world have achieved. Our team is thrilled with the significant strides we continue to make with the VX4 prototype as we expand our learnings and take another step towards connecting communities with faster, cleaner and safer travel.”

Simon Davies, Vertical’s chief test pilot who flew the VX4 prototype, adds: “The aircraft performed absolutely brilliantly and was really stable in the hover. The flight controls felt good, and it’s great to have the tethers off. Everything on the aircraft worked perfectly; no surprises, nice and boring, a great test flight. Definitely my favourite and most memorable flight in thousands of flight hours, but my job was really easy, standing on the shoulders of giants. So proud of our team.”

Vertical will now progress through Phase 2 while working with the CAA to extend its Permit to Fly and move onto Phase 3, wingborne flight tests. This next stage will involve piloted take off, flight and landing like a conventional aircraft using wing-generated lift. The primary focus of this phase is expanding the transition envelope as safely as possible, working down in speed from high altitude rather than up in speed from low altitude, which is much safer. Phase 4 will involve transitioning between thrustborne and wingborne flight modes.

Vertical is currently developing an identical full-scale prototype that will accelerate the flight test programme and demonstration capability. Once assembled, the company will take flight test learnings from both prototypes into the design and development of the certified VX4 model.

The company has also announced Flightpath 2030, a strategy for market leadership before the end of the decade that sets a clear route for the journey from prototype to production. This plan builds on the progress made by the business to date and is underpinned by learnings from its piloted flight test programme, positive engagement with home regulator the UK CAA, and robust planning by its leadership team.

Simpson says: “This is a transformational moment for Vertical as we advance from prototype to production. Since I became CEO, I’ve been clear that I want Vertical to lead, not just compete in, the eVTOL sector. The strategy and goals we are unveiling today provide a new level of detail on how exactly we intend to get there; the best team, delivering the safest and most versatile aircraft, with the most compelling business model in the industry.”

From inception, Vertical set out to focus on engineering and product excellence, building an aircraft that meets the highest safety standards and the needs of customers, who include some of the largest airlines, helicopter operators and aircraft lessors.

Vertical’s mission is to pioneer electric aviation by integrating four strategic intents; pioneering culture, redefining aerospace best practice, intelligent partnering and safety obsessed, into every stage of development and operations. This is reflected in the strategic goals it has set out to deliver.

By the end of the decade, Vertical is targeting:

- Delivery of at least 150 aircraft to customers and achieving significant milestones in high-quality, large-scale production. Vertical is currently collaborating with GKN Aerospace, Hanwha, Honeywell, Leonardo, Molicel and Syensqo, combining this with innovation as needed, such as with its own proprietary powertrain and propeller technology.

- An annual production rate exceeding 200 VX4 units in Q4 2030, with plans to scale up to greater than 700 units per year in the medium-term, to deliver against a leading pre-order book. To achieve this goal, Ross Crawford, who has extensive experience in early-stage manufacturing ramp ups, including at Jaguar Land Rover, has been appointed to lead manufacturing capabilities.

- Positioning Vertical to become sustainably cash generative, achieving cash break-even in 2030, given the capital efficiency of its focused OEM business model. Gross profit margin is currently expected to build to more than 40 per cent in the following years.

- Certifying the VX4 in 2028, followed by certifying its first major upgrade in 2030. This update versus previous expectations follows Vertical’s positive engagement with the CAA as well as its progress, insights and growing confidence from the second piloted flight test plan. The VX4’s high performance powertrain allows for future capacity increases, giving customers flexibility. While the current prototype seats four passengers, its cabin width and robust powertrain enable the potential to accommodate six passengers and extend its range with minimal adjustments to the design or certification requirements.

- Maintaining a zero accident rate, certifying to the highest level of safety, 10-9, the same as for commercial airliners, while upholding its commitment to rigorous safety standards across the business.

Chief engineer David King says: “The eVTOL sector isn't just another iteration of existing tech; we’re defining an entirely new category of aircraft. Innovating in this space demands a radical shift in how we develop aerospace solutions. In the UK, with its unmatched aviation heritage, world-class talent and a thriving ecosystem, we’re driving that change. This plan sets out exactly how we will make this new dawn of travel a reality.”

As of September 30, 2024, the group had £42.8 million/$57.4 million of cash and cash equivalents on hand, based on unaudited management accounts. Vertical currently expects the capital required for the business to deliver its operational goals over the next 12 months to be broadly consistent with spend over the last 12 months of £78.4 million/$98.0 million. This spend will increase over time as Vertical approaches certification and then production.

Discussions are ongoing regarding potential third party investment. Vertical is optimistic that these discussions will result in a transaction that will provide funding further into 2025 and facilitate future fundraising opportunities. In parallel, Vertical continues to explore all alternative options available with respect to its funding needs.

In 2025, Vertical plans to:

- Fly full-scale piloted transition.

- Build and fly its third full-scale VX4 prototype.

- Fly full-scale piloted flights demonstrating real-world use cases.

- Earn additional DOA privileges including Flight Conditions privilege granted by the CAA.

- Initiate production with long-range parts purchasing.

- Strengthen its operating model and shift its approach to focus on execution.