Vertical Aerospace begins test flights for second VX4 eVTOL prototype

The latest VX4 propulsion system includes Vertical’s proprietary battery packs capable of delivering 1.4 megawatts of peak power. These were developed at the company’s Vertical Energy Centre in Bristol.

Flight testing began following the issuance of a permit to fly by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Once the tethered flight phase is complete, Vertical will progress to thrustborne flights where the VX4 will take off and land vertically and conduct low-speed flight maneuvers with lift generated by its eight propellers. Subsequently, subject to CAA approval for each phase, wingborne flights will be performed before achieving critical transitions between vertical and horizontal flight modes.

“The first tethered flight of our new VX4 prototype is the result of 14 months of hard work taking this advanced aircraft all the way from design through to development and now into the air,” said Vertical Aerospace’s CEO Stuart Simpson. “This moment is a testament to the skill and commitment of hundreds of talented colleagues in our business who have made our VX4 aircraft the best eVTOL out there.”

Vertical reports holding pre-orders for 1,500 aircraft valued at $6 billion—implying a unit price of $4 million. Prospective customers include Virgin Atlantic Airways, American Airlines, Japan Airlines, Brazil’s Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A., and helicopter operator Bristow Group Inc.