Advanced Air Mobility Modern Flying News

Vertical Completes First Phase of Testing With New Air Taxi Prototype

U.K. manufacturer took a prototype of its flagship VX4 through ground testing and multiple crewed tethered flights at Cotswold Airport.

Friday, September 13, 2024 at 01:17 PM ET

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Vertical Aerospace conducts piloted flights of its VX4 air taxi while the aircraft is tethered to the ground. [Courtesy: Vertical Aerospace]

Key Takeaways:

Vertical Aerospace successfully completed the first phase of crewed testing for its VX4 eVTOL prototype, involving multiple tethered hover flights and 70 individual test points.
This new, more powerful VX4 model is progressing rapidly, with tests validating critical safety aspects like simulated engine failures, as the company prepares for untethered thrustborne flights.
Vertical Aerospace aims for type certification by 2026, backed by approximately 1,500 preorders from major airlines like American Airlines and Virgin Atlantic, valued at an estimated $6 billion.

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U.K.-based electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi manufacturer Vertical Aerospace on Thursday said it wrapped up the first of four phases of crewed testing with a prototype of its flagship VX4, a piloted design for up to four passengers.

At the company’s flight test center at Cotswold Airport (EGBP) in England, Vertical pilots took the prototype through 70 individual test points, culminating in multiple hover flights of the aircraft while it was tethered to the ground.

Jack Daleo

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.