Vertical Aerospace Achieves Critical VX4 Wingborne Flight Testing Milestone
Vertical Aerospace has successfully completed Phase 3 of wingborne flight testing for its VX4 electric aircraft, a significant step towards obtaining type certification by 2028. Conducted in open airspace, these tests demonstrated the aircraft’s capability to function like a conventional airplane, generating lift from its wings.
Key Flight Test Achievements
- The VX4 prototype successfully covered 250 miles (400 km) during piloted flight missions.
- Pilots Simon Davies and Paul Stone tested both manual and computer-assisted control modes.
- The tests yielded more than 22 billion data points, with results closely matching simulator models.
These outcomes validate the VX4’s quiet, low-power wingborne mode, a critical feature for the scalability and commercial viability of electric aviation. The aircraft smoothly transitioned between control modes, underscoring its stability and efficiency.
Regulatory Oversight and Next Steps
With regulatory oversight from the UK Civil Aviation Authority and validation support from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, Vertical obtained approval to conduct the tests under an extended Permit to Fly. Simon Davies, Chief Test Pilot at Vertical Aerospace, stated, “This achievement underscores our commitment to delivering safe, practical, and efficient electric air travel. The VX4 has flown exactly as expected, and we are confident as we move into the final transition testing stage.”
Vertical Aerospace is now moving to the final stage of testing—the transition flight—anticipated to conclude by the end of 2025. Further developments will be shared at Capital Markets Day in New York on September 17, as the company works towards certification and the scaling of commercial electric air taxi operations.
Implications for Electric Aviation
The successful completion of wingborne trials signals both technical maturity and increased regulator confidence in Vertical Aerospace’s capabilities. Aiming for certification in 2028, the VX4 has the potential to become a sustainable alternative to short-haul flights and helicopter travel, positioning Vertical as a leader in the commercialization of electric aviation.
