Vertical Aerospace Strengthens Regulatory Expertise with Appointment of Former Eurocontrol Director General
Bristol, UK – Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL), a global aerospace and technology company pioneering electric aviation, has announced the appointment of Eamonn Brennan as an adviser to its Board. This strategic move further enhances the company’s regulatory expertise as it advances toward the certification of its VX4 eVTOL aircraft.
Eamonn Brennan’s Aviation Legacy and Regulatory Expertise
Mr. Brennan has been a key figure in European aviation for decades, holding influential roles that shaped air traffic management and regulatory advancements:
- Director General of Eurocontrol (2018-2022) – Led the organization responsible for coordinating and managing air traffic control across Europe.
- Chief Executive of the Irish Aviation Authority (2003-2017) – Spearheaded Ireland’s civil aviation regulatory framework.
- Key Contributor to the Single European Sky Program – Advocated for improved airspace efficiency and integration across Europe.
- Current Roles – Serves as a Non-Executive Director of Ryanair, a Board member at ANRA Technologies, and an advisory Board member at Cirium, an aviation analytics firm.
His deep understanding of global regulatory frameworks, certification processes, and airspace management will be invaluable as Vertical Aerospace navigates the complex journey toward commercial certification and operations of the VX4 eVTOL.
A Critical Time for Certification Progress
Mr. Brennan joins Vertical Aerospace at a pivotal stage in its VX4 development. The company recently completed piloted thrustborne testing and is now working with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to expand the aircraft’s flight envelope ahead of wingborne flight testing.
During this next testing phase, the VX4 prototype Director will transition from vertical takeoff to forward flight, with lift generated by its wings rather than its rotors. This progression marks a major milestone toward full certification and represents a Director key leap from a controlled test environment to dynamic real-world flight operations.
“Vertical is redefining how the world moves, but certifying a novel aircraft is challenging. With deep expertise and strong relationships across the regulatory ecosystem globally, I’ll be supporting Vertical in navigating the certification process and ensuring the VX4 becomes the safest aircraft in the market. Backed by world-class talent and cutting-edge technology, Vertical is well-positioned to lead the sector, and I’m delighted to be part of this journey.” — Eamonn Brennan, Board Adviser, Vertical Aerospace
Strengthening Vertical’s Certification Strategy
The addition of Mr. Brennan further solidifies Vertical Aerospace’s regulatory team, which already includes Trevor Woods, former Certification Director at EASA, who has been Director of Regulatory Affairs at Vertical since 2022.
Vertical has established certification validation projects with five leading aviation regulators, including:
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – United States
- European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
- UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
- National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil (ANAC)
- Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB)
Advancing Regulatory Cooperation and Flightpath 2030 Strategy
The UK CAA, Vertical’s home regulator, has already agreed on certification cooperation with EASA and expanded the scope of Vertical’s Design Organisation Approval (DOA)—a crucial step toward achieving full certification.
This appointment follows other recent major milestones for Vertical, including:
- The return of industry veteran Domhnal Slattery as Chair
- The launch of its Flightpath 2030 strategy
- A successful upsized $90 million underwritten public offering
These steps reinforce Vertical Aerospace’s commitment to securing the regulatory, financial, and technological foundation necessary for the VX4’s path to market.
About Vertical Aerospace
Vertical Aerospace is a global aerospace and technology company pioneering the future of electric aviation. The company is developing the VX4, a piloted, four-passenger, Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft that operates with zero emissions.
Vertical Aerospace combines its expertise with leading aerospace partners, including:
- GKN Aerospace
- Honeywell
- Leonardo
- Rolls-Royce
The company is also investing in its proprietary battery and propeller technology to deliver the world’s safest and most advanced eVTOL.
With approximately 1,500 pre-orders from customers across four continents, including American Airlines, Japan Airlines, GOL, and Bristow, Vertical is positioned as a leader in the emerging electric aviation revolution.
Headquartered in Bristol, UK, Vertical Aerospace boasts a leadership team with deep experience from Rolls-Royce, Airbus, GM, and Leonardo, with a collective history of certifying over 30 different civil and military aircraft and propulsion systems.
For more information, visit www.vertical-aerospace.com.