- Vertical completes Phase 2 of its piloted thrustborne testing
with the VX4 prototype exceeding expectations for stability and
performance
- The company is now preparing for the next stage in its testing
programme – piloted wingborne flight – a world first for a
full-scale tilt rotor eVTOL
- Update comes as Vertical continues its strong start to the year
– including securing $90m in its recent upsized public
offering
Vertical Aerospace (Vertical) [NYSE: EVTL], a global aerospace
and technology company that is pioneering electric aviation, has
successfully completed the second stage of piloted thrustborne
testing of its full scale VX4 prototype.
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The full scale VX4 prototype performs
piloted flight tests at Vertical's Flight Test Centre. (Photo:
Business Wire)
The company is now preparing for a new chapter in its history,
with the VX4 entering the penultimate phase of flight testing:
wingborne flight. This phase will mark a defining moment in the
VX4’s development, pushing beyond the limits of the secure airspace
of Cotswold Airport’s airfield and into real-world operating
conditions for the first time.
During Phase 2, the aircraft completed over thirty piloted test
flights. Flight tests included completing successful hover and low
speed flight manoeuvres, as well as executing handling and
performance procedures including roll, yaw, and spot-turns.
Engineers were able to collect hundreds of data points to
determine the reliability of the aircraft systems, as well as
thrust levels, lift efficiency, and power-to-thrust ratio and
control responsiveness. These piloted prototype flights experienced
no system failures and exceeded expectations for stability and
performance.
The news builds on Vertical’s strong start to 2025, following
the appointment of Dómhnal Slattery as Chair and the announcement
of its upsized $90m underwritten public offering.
Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, said: “This
year has started with incredible momentum, and this phase of
testing has given us invaluable insights into our phenomenal
aircraft. Each milestone brings us closer to changing how the world
moves, and we are taking these learnings forward as we continue
advancing our piloted flight test programme. I’m incredibly excited
to be on the cusp of another historic moment as we prepare for our
most advanced stage of testing yet.
Simon Davies, Vertical’s Chief Test Pilot, who flew the VX4,
said: “This phase of testing allowed us to put the VX4 through
key flight manoeuvres in real-world conditions, giving us valuable
insights into its reliability and responsiveness under more
demanding scenarios. The aircraft performed exceptionally, being
just as stable and simple to fly as our simulations.
“It’s incredible to see how far we’ve come—from the first
tethered flights just months ago to now successfully completing
thrustborne testing. I’m looking forward to the months ahead as we
push the flight envelope further and take the next critical steps
towards wingborne flight.”
To progress to wingborne flight, the next phase of the flight
test programme, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will first
need to expand Vertical’s Permit to Fly. Once approved, the VX4
will take off, fly, and land like a conventional aircraft, with
lift generated by its wings rather than its rotors. Transitioning
from a tightly controlled test environment to more dynamic,
scalable operations is a major leap forward on the path to full
certification and commercial viability. Once the aircraft has
completed wingborne flight, the aircraft will have, in effect,
completed a mini-certification process with this prototype.
While Vertical works with the CAA to expand its Permit to Fly it
will continue to perform important system and component testing as
well as progressing the development of an identical full-scale
prototype which will accelerate the VX4’s flight test programme and
demonstration capability.
Following wingborne testing, the VX4 will enter a final phase of
transition testing to demonstrate its ability to switch between
vertical and forward flight modes.
Notes to Editors
About Vertical Aerospace
Vertical Aerospace is a global aerospace and technology company
pioneering electric aviation. Vertical is creating a safer, cleaner
and quieter way to travel. Vertical’s VX4 is a piloted, four
passenger, Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft,
with zero operating emissions. Vertical combines partnering with
leading aerospace companies, including GKN Aerospace, Honeywell and
Leonardo, with developing its own proprietary battery and propeller
technology to develop the world’s most advanced and safest
eVTOL.
Vertical has c.1,500 pre-orders of the VX4, with customers
across four continents, including American Airlines, Japan
Airlines, GOL and Bristow. Certain customer obligations are
expected to be fulfilled via third-party agreements. Headquartered
in Bristol, the epicentre of the UK’s aerospace industry,
Vertical’s experienced leadership team comes from top tier
automotive and aerospace companies such as Rolls-Royce, Airbus, GM
and Leonardo. Together they have previously certified and supported
over 30 different civil and military aircraft and propulsion
systems.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995 that relate to our current expectations and views of future
events. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by
the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements as
contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of
the Exchange Act. Any express or implied statements contained in
this press release that are not statements of historical fact may
be deemed to be forward-looking statements, including, without
limitation, statements regarding the design and manufacture of the
VX4, the features and capabilities of the VX4, business strategy
and plans and objectives of management for future operations,
including the building and testing of our prototype aircrafts on
timelines projected, completion of the piloted test programme
phases, selection of suppliers, certification and the
commercialization of the VX4 and our ability to achieve regulatory
certification of our aircraft product on any particular timeline or
at all, our ability and plans to raise additional capital to fund
our operations, the differential strategy compared to our peer
group, expectations surrounding pre-orders and commitments, our
future results of operations and financial position and expected
financial performance and operational performance, liquidity,
growth and profitability strategies, the transition towards a
net-zero emissions economy, as well as statements that include the
words “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “project,” “forecast,”
“estimate,” “may,” “should,” “anticipate,” “will,” “aim,”
“potential,” “continue,” “are likely to” and similar statements of
a future or forward-looking nature. Forward-looking statements are
neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those projected, including, without limitation: our
limited operating history without manufactured non-prototype
aircraft or completed eVTOL aircraft customer order; our potential
inability to raise additional funds when we need or want them, or
at all, to fund our operations; our limited cash and cash
equivalents and recurring losses from our operations raise
significant doubt (or raise substantial doubt as contemplated by
PCAOB standards) regarding our ability to continue as a going
concern; our potential inability to produce or launch aircraft in
the volumes or timelines projected; the potential inability to
obtain the necessary certifications for production and operation
within any projected timeline, or at all; the inability for our
aircraft to perform at the level we expect and may have potential
defects; our history of losses and the expectation to incur
significant expenses and continuing losses for the foreseeable
future; the market for eVTOL aircraft being in a relatively early
stage; any accidents or incidents involving eVTOL aircraft could
harm our business; our dependence on partners and suppliers for the
components in our aircraft and for operational needs; the potential
that certain strategic partnerships may not materialize into
long-term partnership arrangements; all of the pre-orders received
are conditional and may be terminated at any time and any
predelivery payments may be fully refundable upon certain specified
dates; any circumstances; any potential failure to effectively
manage our growth; our inability to recruit and retain senior
management and other highly skilled personnel; we have previously
identified material weaknesses in our internal controls over
financial reporting which if we fail to properly remediate, could
adversely affect our results of operations, investor confidence in
us and the market price of our ordinary shares; as a foreign
private issuer we follow certain home country corporate governance
rules, are not subject to U.S. proxy rules and are subject to
Exchange Act reporting obligations that, to some extent, are more
lenient and less frequent than those of a U.S. domestic public
company; and the other important factors discussed under the
caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 14,
2024, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other
filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in
this press release speak only as of the date hereof and accordingly
undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. We disclaim
any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any
forward-looking statements contained in this press release, whether
as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other
than to the extent required by applicable law.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250204232551/en/
Justin Bates, Head of Communications
justin.bates@vertical-aerospace.com +44 7878 357 463 Samuel Emden,
Head of Investor Affairs samuel.emden@vertical-aerospace.com +44
7816 459 904
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