- First-ever piloted wingborne flight of a winged eVTOL in European open airspace
- Landmark flight follows approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority, an important step on its path
toward certification and commercial operation - 30,000 in-flight parameters and data points measured, with the aircraft flying as expected
- On track to complete piloted transition flight in 2H 2025
Vertical Aerospace (Vertical) [NYSE: EVTL], a global aerospace and technology company that is pioneering
electric aviation, today announced it has made European aviation history with the first-ever piloted
wingborne flight of a winged electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in open airspace.
The landmark flight of the VX4 prototype, piloted by Chief Test Pilot Si Davies, saw the aircraft take-off, fly
and land like a conventional aircraft, with lift generated by the wing.
Soaring across the UK countryside from Cotswold Airport, the VX4 prototype demonstrated controlled
wingborne flight in open airspace for the first time, marking a critical step toward commercial deployment
as part of Vertical’s Flightpath 2030 strategy.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approved the flight through open airspace at Cotswold Airport, the
UK’s largest private airport, by extending Vertical’s Permit to Fly. This followed a rigorous review of tens of
thousands of pages of safety and technical documentation.
Chief Test Pilot, Simon Davies, said: “Taking the aircraft beyond the airfield and cruising over the Cotswolds for the first time was truly special and a career highlight for me. Our performance predictions were absolutely spot on, and the aircraft took off as a natural extension of all the ground tests and preparation we’ve done.
There are aircraft which are safe and capable but not always enjoyable to fly. The VX4 was not only safe
but was an absolute pleasure. It is responsive, smooth, simple to operate and the sound level from the propellers is quiet and pleasant in the cockpit. An honour to fly, and a real testament to the incredible team behind it.”
Vertical is currently the only company globally flying a piloted winged eVTOL prototype that’s been
developed under a Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from the CAA – a DOA is required to hold a Type
Certificate, required for commercial passenger operations. The CAA is working closely with the European
Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for their concurrent validation and certifying the VX4 to the highest
safety standards required for commercial use.
Stuart Simpson, CEO, Vertical Aerospace, said: “Achieving piloted wingborne flight in open airspace under
the oversight of the UK CAA is an important moment in our certification journey. Operating under the UK’s rigorous regulatory framework means we share the burden of safety with our regulator – every step must be approved, and that’s by design. It amounts to a mini certification of our prototype and gives us a clearer, faster path to type certification.
Our decision to put a pilot into the VX4 early was deliberate – real-world piloted flight delivers insights no
simulation can. This milestone proves the capability of the aircraft and the maturity of our programme as
we move toward commercial operations.”
Advancing the UK’s world-class aerospace sector
This achievement has also been supported by early UK government investment through programmes
including the Aerospace Technology Institute and the Future Flight Challenge. These initiatives have
contributed to the development of Vertical’s technology and flight test campaign, and form part of wider
efforts to advance the UK’s net zero and aerospace ambitions.
UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds, said: “This is a fantastic milestone for
Vertical and for the UK’s world-class aerospace sector. Breakthroughs like this show how government
and business can work together to keep the UK at the cutting edge of innovation. Our modern Industrial
Strategy will double down on this success by giving investors the confidence they need to back UK
advanced manufacturing for the long term, bringing good, green jobs and growth across the UK as part of Press Release 5 November 2024 Press Release 27th May 2025 our Plan for Change.”
What is the Significance of Wingborne Flight?
In Phase 3 of testing – wingborne flight – the VX4 operates like a conventional aircraft using lift generated
by its wings, rather than relying solely on rotor thrust. This low-power, quiet, and range-efficient mode of
flight is key to making electric air travel practical, scalable, and economically viable.
Jim Currier, President and CEO, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies, “This significant achievement
underscores the ability of our partnership to unlock new and innovative modes of transport, and we are
proud Honeywell Anthem avionics and flight control computers and software could play a key role in
supporting such a defining moment for the industry.”
David Stepanek, EVP & CTO, Bristow Group, said: “The VX4’s successful demonstration of wingborne flight
marks a significant step towards commercial readiness. As the global leader in innovative and sustainable
vertical lift, we look forward to continuing to partner with Vertical to unleash the disruptive advantages of
this aircraft.”
Jill Blickstein, Vice President of Sustainability, at American Airlines said: ”This milestone is a key step
toward safely scaling electric aviation, which we believe will play a key role in the future of our industry.
We’re proud of Vertical’s progress toward sustainable travel.”
By achieving stable and controlled wingborne flight, Vertical has taken a significant step toward the next
major milestone: a full piloted transition flight, expected in the second half of 2025. This will demonstrate
the VX4’s ability to shift seamlessly between vertical lift and forward cruise – the operating mode it will use in passenger service.
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