Vertical Aerospace completes second phase of VX4 flight testing

UK-based electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft manufacturer, Vertical Aerospace (Vertical), has successfully completed the second stage of piloted thrustborne testing for its VX4 prototype. 

During the second phase of testing, the VX4 completed more than 30 piloted test flights, performing key manoeuvres such as hovering, low-speed flight, roll, yaw, and spot-turns.

Engineers collected extensive data on thrust levels, lift efficiency, power-to-thrust ratio, and control responsiveness. The aircraft exceeded expectations for stability and performance, with no system failures recorded throughout the tests.

Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, highlighted the momentum behind the programme, “This year has started with incredible momentum, and this phase of testing has given us invaluable insights into our phenomenal aircraft.”

He added, “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.”

Chief Test Pilot Simon Davies, who flew the VX4, praised the aircraft’s reliability in real-world conditions. 

“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,” he said. 

Furthermore, Vertical Aerospace is currently working with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to expand its Permit to Fly which will allow the VX4 to begin wingborne flight. 

In this next stage, the aircraft will take-off, fly, and land like a conventional aircraft, with lift generated by its wings rather than its rotors. 

As the company awaits regulatory approval, it will continue system and component testing and further develop an identical full-scale prototype to accelerate the VX4’s flight programme. 

Once wingborne testing is complete, the aircraft will move into transition testing, where it will demonstrate its ability to switch seamlessly between vertical and forward flight modes—a critical step toward full certification and commercial operations.

This achievement follows a strong start to 2025 for Vertical Aerospace, including the recent appointment of Dómhnal Slattery as Chair and the completion of a $90 million underwritten public offering.