Vertical Aerospace (Vertical), a global aerospace and technology company pioneering zero-emissions aviation, has seen its latest VX4 prototype perform its first tethered piloted flight as it begins the “wheels up” phase of testing.
This VX4 performed a piloted flight while loosely tethered to the ground, during which Vertical measured over 20,000 flight and system parameters to verify thrust, handling qualities, and system performance. The tethered piloted flight took place after the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) had issued Vertical with a Permit to Fly for its VX4 prototype, having rigorously evaluated the engineering, design, test data, and aircraft, effectively conducting a “mini certification” programme of the aircraft.
Vertical must submit documentation to the CAA to move through each flight phase, including extensive, detailed documentation covering every aspect from safety protocols and engineering specifications to operational procedures.
Following initial tethered flights, and once it has received permission from the CAA to expand the flight envelope, the VX4 will enter the next phase of testing, which will start with further thrust borne flight testing. This will see the VX4 take off and land vertically and conduct low-speed flight manoeuvres with lift generated by the propellers.
Vertical's Chief Test Pilot, Justin Paines, the only pilot to have flown two different eVTOLs, conducted the new VX4 prototype's first hover at 17:45 on 25 July 2024.
Wingborne or conventional flight (CTOL) and the final critical test stage of piloted transition flight will follow, only once the CAA's rigorous approval for this final phase of testing has been granted.
In advance of the first tethered flight, the VX4 has successfully completed extensive ground testing, including powered propulsion testing of its advanced powertrain, which features proprietary battery packs capable of delivering 1.4 MW of peak power and which have been designed and built at the state-of-the-art Vertical Energy Centre.
