Vertical Aerospace Completes First-Ever Public Airport-to-Airport eVTOL Flight
Vertical Aerospace announce that its VX4 eVTOL completed the first public airport-to-airport flight by a full-scale, piloted winged tilt-rotor eVTOL, from Cotswold Airport to FAF Fairford in the U.K., yesterday (Jul. 16).
(London, United Kingdom & New York, New York) Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL) announced today that its VX4 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle completed the first-ever airport to airport piloted flight by a full-scale, winged tilt-rotor eVTOL designed for commercial service yesterday, on July 16th.
Photo of Vertical Aerospace’s VX4 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft taking off from Vertical’s Flight Test Centre at Cotswold Airport courtesy of Vertical Aerospace.
Specifically, following Flight Conditions and Permit to Fly approvals from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the piloted VX4 prototype flew from Vertical’s Flight Test Centre at Cotswold Airport 17 miles to RAF Fairford, a Royal Air Force station which is used by the United States Air Force, according to today’s press release from Vertical.
RAF Fairford will be hosting the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), the world’s largest military air show, where Vertical’s VX4 will be on display from July 18 – 20.
The inaugural flight was witnessed by several thousand people, according to Vertical.
Simon Davies, Vertical’s Chief Test Pilot, who flew the full scale VX4 prototype, said: “Flying the VX4 from airport to airport is a major milestone, and a powerful demonstration of the real-world capability of the aircraft. To bring it to RIAT, among some of the world’s most advanced military aircraft, is a proud moment – and a powerful signal of the role that a new generation of aircraft will play in defence and special mission operations.”
“RIAT is a global stage for the most advanced, mission-ready aerospace technology, and we’re proud to showcase how electric aviation will support
the future of defence," said Vertical Aerospace CEO Stuart Simpson. "Our hybrid-electric roadmap unlocks new capabilities for military operations, and Vertical’s RIAT presence reinforces our commitment to playing a meaningful role in the future of military and special mission aviation.”
