Vertical Aerospace (Vertical), a global aerospace and technology company pioneering electric aviation, has announced the first-ever piloted wingborne flight of a winged electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in open airspace. The landmark flight of the VX4 prototype, piloted by Chief Test Pilot Simon Davies, saw the aircraft take off, fly, and land like a conventional aeroplane, with lift generated by the wing.
Soaring across the British countryside from Cotswold Airport, the VX4 prototype demonstrated controlled wingborne flight in open airspace for the first time, marking a critical step towards commercial deployment.
“There are aircraft which are safe and capable but not always enjoyable to fly. The VX4 was not only safe but was an absolute pleasure. It is responsive, smooth, simple to operate and the sound level from the propellers is quiet and pleasant in the cockpit. An honour to fly, and a real testament to the incredible team behind it.”
Vertical is currently the only company in the world flying a piloted winged eVTOL prototype developed under a Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). A DOA is a pre-requisite to obtaining a Type Certificate, which is required for commercial passenger operations. The CAA is working closely with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on concurrent validation and certifying the VX4 to the highest safety standards for commercial use.
Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, commented: “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.”
The flight, part of Vertical's Flightpath 2030 strategy, was approved by the UK CAA through an extension of Vertical's Permit to Fly. This followed a thorough review of tens of thousands of pages of safety and technical documentation. The flight took place at Cotswold Airport, the UK's largest private airport.
Chief Test Pilot Simon Davies reflected on the achievement: “Taking the aircraft beyond the airfield and cruising over the Cotswolds for the first time was truly special and a career highlight for me. Our performance predictions were absolutely spot on, and the aircraft took off as a natural extension of all the ground tests and preparation we've done.”
