Photo: Vertical Aerospace
The VX4 is not only one of the most promising eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) concepts developed in the UK but also one of the most highly-anticipated globally. This year, the aircraft maker Vertical Aerospace is gearing up for big events and fast developments, including upcoming public flight demonstrations in the UK.
Stephen Fitzpatrick is a man on a mission. A successful entrepreneur and founder of what claimed to be Europe's largest independent energy retailer (OVO Group), Fitzpatrick founded Vertical Aerospace back in 2016 with the goal of making a difference in the emerging eVTOL industry.
In 2022, 500 VX4 units have already been sold through Avolon, an aircraft leasing aircraft, to operators all over the world. According to Vertical, by October 2023, pre-orders grew to a whopping 1,500, once again confirming the UK company's leading position in the global market. These pre-orders add up to more than $5 billion and come from more than a dozen customers in different parts of the world, from the US to Japan.
Last year was fruitful in other aspects as well. The eVTOL maker completed a thrustborne test campaign with the full-scale VX prototype and soon after started the final assembly of its second full-scale prototype. It also inaugurated the Vertical Energy Center and finalized the construction of a battery powertrain together with Molicel.
What are the plans for this year? The most exciting one is a series of public flight demonstrations. If things go according to plan, the second VX4 prototype will show what it can do at the Farnborough International Airshow. The series of demonstrations might also include flights to and from Heathrow Airport.
Before all that, the second full-scale prototype needs to be completed at GKN Aerospace's Global Technology Center. This second prototype will feature technologies from most of Vertical's technology partners, including big names such as GKN Aerospace, Honeywell, Leonardo, Dassault Systemes, Molicel, and Hanwha.
Renewing his commitment to the original Vertical project, founder and CEO Stephen Fitzpatrick announced he would invest an additional $50 million into the company in the form of equity capital. The road to certification is long and bumpy, and it needs serious funding.
After the successful testing of the second prototype, Vertical will focus on the certification aircraft design. That certification aircraft will then kick off the final regulatory testing phase, before entering production.
The UK-based eVTOL maker plans to get the VX4 certified by the end of 2026, which means at least three more years of hard work.
The five-seat VX4 air taxi promises a range of up to 100 miles (161 km) and a 200 mph (325 kph) top speed, powered by a proprietary battery system and a 1 MW powertrain.
In 2022, 500 VX4 units have already been sold through Avolon, an aircraft leasing aircraft, to operators all over the world. According to Vertical, by October 2023, pre-orders grew to a whopping 1,500, once again confirming the UK company's leading position in the global market. These pre-orders add up to more than $5 billion and come from more than a dozen customers in different parts of the world, from the US to Japan.
Last year was fruitful in other aspects as well. The eVTOL maker completed a thrustborne test campaign with the full-scale VX prototype and soon after started the final assembly of its second full-scale prototype. It also inaugurated the Vertical Energy Center and finalized the construction of a battery powertrain together with Molicel.
What are the plans for this year? The most exciting one is a series of public flight demonstrations. If things go according to plan, the second VX4 prototype will show what it can do at the Farnborough International Airshow. The series of demonstrations might also include flights to and from Heathrow Airport.
Before all that, the second full-scale prototype needs to be completed at GKN Aerospace's Global Technology Center. This second prototype will feature technologies from most of Vertical's technology partners, including big names such as GKN Aerospace, Honeywell, Leonardo, Dassault Systemes, Molicel, and Hanwha.
Renewing his commitment to the original Vertical project, founder and CEO Stephen Fitzpatrick announced he would invest an additional $50 million into the company in the form of equity capital. The road to certification is long and bumpy, and it needs serious funding.
After the successful testing of the second prototype, Vertical will focus on the certification aircraft design. That certification aircraft will then kick off the final regulatory testing phase, before entering production.
The UK-based eVTOL maker plans to get the VX4 certified by the end of 2026, which means at least three more years of hard work.
The five-seat VX4 air taxi promises a range of up to 100 miles (161 km) and a 200 mph (325 kph) top speed, powered by a proprietary battery system and a 1 MW powertrain.
Google News