UK's Vertical VX4 eVTOL flies outside Kemble circuit for first time

Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, said, “Achieving piloted wingborne flight in open airspace under the oversight of the UK CAA is an important moment in our certification journey.

“Operating under the UK’s rigorous regulatory framework means we share the burden of safety with our regulator – every step must be approved, and that’s by design. It amounts to a mini certification of our prototype and gives us a clearer, faster path to type certification.

“Our decision to put a pilot into the VX4 early was deliberate – real-world piloted flight delivers insights no simulation can. This milestone proves the capability of the aircraft and the maturity of our programme as we move toward commercial operations.”

Vertical is backed by UK government investment through the Aerospace Technology Institute and the Future Flight Challenge.

UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds, added, “This is a fantastic milestone for Vertical and for the UK’s world-class aerospace sector. Breakthroughs like this show how government and business can work together to keep the UK at the cutting edge of innovation.”

In Phase 3 of testing – wingborne flight – the VX4 operates like a conventional aircraft using lift generated by its wings, rather than relying solely on rotor thrust. This low-power, quiet, and range-efficient mode of flight is key to making electric air travel practical, scalable, and economically viable.

During the wingborne flight phase, the VX4 will reach speeds of up to 150 mph (120 knots) and altitudes close to 2,000 ft under real-world conditions. Engineers captured more than 30,000 in-flight data parameters, confirming the aircraft performed exceptionally across stability, control, and energy usage.

Vertical Aerospace