Vertical Aerospace Kicks Off 2025 with Key Piloted Thrustborne Milestone
Vertical Aerospace Ltd. (NYSE: EVTL; EVTLW), a global leader in aerospace and technology, has marked a significant advancement in its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) flight testing program. The company has successfully completed its first piloted thrustborne flight manoeuvres, a crucial step towards the development and certification of its VX4 aircraft. This achievement follows the approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to extend its Permit to Fly, allowing Vertical to progress from piloted hover tests to piloted thrustborne low-speed flight manoeuvres at altitude.
The latest successful flight manoeuvres included roll, yaw, and spot turn, which were performed by Simon Davies, Vertical’s Chief Test Pilot. This milestone places Vertical Aerospace among the select few companies worldwide that have advanced to this critical phase in eVTOL development. The company is now only the second organization globally to conduct piloted thrustborne flight manoeuvres with a full-scale, vectored thrust eVTOL aircraft, demonstrating substantial progress in the development of electric aviation technology.
Marking a New Era in Electric Aviation
Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, celebrated the milestone as a reflection of the dedication and hard work of the company’s team and partners. “Starting the year with this milestone is a fantastic achievement and testament to the dedication of our team and partners,” Simpson stated. “Becoming one of only two companies globally to conduct piloted thrustborne flight manoeuvres in a full-scale vectored thrust eVTOL underscores the progress we’re making toward our Flightpath 2030 strategy and our vision to transform the way the world moves.” Simpson emphasized that the team’s focus is now on completing this phase while preparing for the next major milestone — wingborne flight.
The Road to Wingborne Flight
Vertical’s VX4 aircraft has progressed significantly in its flight test program, having successfully moved from piloted hover flights to low-speed thrustborne manoeuvres. These manoeuvres, where the aircraft generates lift using its propellers, are critical for testing the VX4’s stability, battery efficiency, control characteristics, aerodynamics, and overall performance.
Thrustborne flight tests allow the company to gather important data on the aircraft’s structural and dynamic loads, how it behaves at various speeds, and its performance under real-world flight conditions. These tests play a key role in refining the aircraft’s capabilities and will provide invaluable insights into its readiness for the next stages of development.
Alongside the thrustborne flight phase, Vertical is also working closely with the UK Civil Aviation Authority to further extend its Permit to Fly. This collaborative effort will clear the way for Phase 3 of the testing program — wingborne flight. Wingborne flight tests will involve the aircraft flying beyond the confines of the airfield, providing a mini-certification of the prototype and taking it a step closer to achieving full certification for commercial use.
A Stronger Team for Future Challenges
To meet the growing demands of its extensive flight test program, Vertical Aerospace has expanded its team with the appointment of Tim Eldridge as a test pilot. Eldridge brings over two decades of flight test experience, particularly in military and emergency services aviation. Having served in the Royal Navy, Tim has tested a wide range of aircraft, including the Sea King, Merlin, Chinook, and Lynx. His background also includes roles with Babcock, where he piloted helicopters for Emergency Medical Services (EMS), as well as experience at QinetiQ and Airbus Helicopters. Tim’s expertise will be invaluable as Vertical moves forward with the VX4’s development and testing program.
Eldridge’s appointment is an important step in ensuring that Vertical’s test team is fully equipped to handle the rigorous demands of flight testing as the company works toward achieving its ambitious goals in electric aviation.
The Flight Test Program: A Four-Phase Journey
Vertical Aerospace has structured its flight test program into four distinct phases, each building upon the previous one to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of the VX4’s capabilities. These phases are as follows:
Phase 1: Tethered Flight
In this initial phase, the VX4 performs a stabilized hover while being loosely tethered to the ground. This phase is essential for testing the aircraft’s basic stability and control. It has already been completed successfully.
Phase 2: Thrustborne Flight
The VX4 takes off and lands vertically, with lift generated by its propellers, conducting low-speed flight manoeuvres in the process. The thrustborne phase is currently in progress, and Vertical has successfully completed the piloted thrustborne flight manoeuvres, which serve as a critical milestone in the aircraft’s development.
Phase 3: Wingborne Flight
In this phase, the VX4 will transition to flying like a conventional fixed-wing aircraft, with lift generated by the wing rather than the propellers. The aircraft will take off, fly, and land as it would in real-world operational conditions. Phase 3 will also involve flying beyond the airfield boundaries, an important step toward proving the VX4’s readiness for certification.
Phase 4: Transition Flight
The final phase of the flight test program will involve the VX4 demonstrating its ability to transition between thrustborne and wingborne flight modes. This transition is a key feature of eVTOL aircraft and will be critical in proving the aircraft’s ability to operate in a variety of flight conditions.
The successful completion of the piloted thrustborne flight manoeuvres marks an important milestone for Vertical Aerospace and the electric aviation industry as a whole. As the company continues its testing program, it is laying the groundwork for the future of sustainable air travel. The advancements in eVTOL technology have the potential to transform urban mobility, offering cleaner, quieter, and more efficient transportation options that could revolutionize how people move in cities and beyond.
Vertical’s commitment to achieving its Flightpath 2030 strategy is clear, and the company is on track to make a significant impact on the aerospace industry. With the successful progression of the VX4’s flight testing program, the next step is wingborne flight, which will bring Vertical one step closer to its goal of certifying and commercializing the VX4 aircraft.
The company’s efforts, supported by an experienced and dedicated team, are setting the stage for a new era of aviation. As Vertical Aerospace continues to innovate and push the boundaries of what is possible, the vision of electric, sustainable air travel is becoming more tangible. The future of aviation looks brighter than ever, and Vertical is at the forefront of this exciting transformation.