Vertical Aerospace Achieves First Thrustborne Flight

Vertical Aerospace Ltd. has achieved a major milestone by successfully completing its first piloted thrustborne flight maneuvers with its VX4 eVTOL aircraft, marking it as the second company globally to do so. Chief Test Pilot Simon Davies executed various low-speed maneuvers, including roll, yaw, and spot turns, following approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority to expand its Permit to Fly. This progress is part of Vertical's Flightpath 2030 strategy aimed at revolutionizing urban air mobility. CEO Stuart Simpson emphasized the significance of this achievement, highlighting the team's dedication and the aircraft's potential for real-world flight conditions. The VX4 will now prepare for the next phase of testing, which includes wingborne flight, expected to be a critical step in its testing program. Vertical Aerospace continues to collaborate closely with regulators as it advances its ambitious flight test campaign.