We Test the Vertical Power VP 400

Pia Bergqvist

Tuesday, July 31, 2012 at 09:07 PM ET

Verified

VP 400

Key Takeaways:

The VP 400 is an emergency autopilot system designed to increase the chances of a successful landing during in-flight emergencies.
It automatically guides the aircraft to the nearest suitable airport within gliding distance, providing visual cues via EFIS and a moving map, and controlling pitch, bank, and flaps.
While it doesn't autoland, the system brings the aircraft to the runway threshold and can slow it down if the pilot is incapacitated, significantly improving survival rates in scenarios like engine failure, IMC, or medical emergencies.
Initially available for experimental aircraft, Vertical Power plans to pursue FAA certification to bring this potentially life-saving technology to certified airplanes.

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It’s not often that a product is introduced that could potentially increase the chances of a successful landing – one that you can walk away from – in the case of an in-flight emergency. Recently, I had a chance to check out a product that fits that description called the VP 400 from a company called Vertical Power. The VP 400 was installed in an RV-7 owned by Vertical Power’s president and co-founder Marc Ausman.

On a very hot day, we took off from Van Nuys Airport and flew west toward the cooler coastal area. As we were climbing out over the San Fernando Valley, the moving map part at the bottom of the display showed a darkened image with a lighter circle around our location. This indicated that there was no airport within gliding distance.