Vertical Aerospace begins ground tests for second VX4 eVTOL prototype

Vertical Aerospace has commenced powered ground testing of its second VX4 eVTOL prototype, preparing for flight tests pending approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority. The company announced on Tuesday that initial tests have included propeller balancing and spinning, with electric powertrain and battery testing scheduled to begin shortly.

During these tests, the aircraft will be anchored to prevent liftoff while the 1.4-megawatt powertrain is run at various power levels to measure thrust output, system integration, and structural integrity. Propeller balancing ensures weight distribution is even across blades to minimize vibrations for stable flying.

The engineering team plans to conduct tethered flights next, with the aircraft hovering just above the ground before progressing to low-speed untethered flights once the permit is granted.