Phase 1 included tethered flights, ground taxi testing and high-powered ground runs, all with a pilot on board.
Vertical is now preparing to progress to piloted untethered thrustborne testing, as soon as it receives
permission from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
The VX4 went from its first powered ground test to ‘wheels up’ in just one week – three times faster than
the previous prototype.
Vertical Aerospace, a global aerospace and technology company pioneering zero-emissions aviation, has achieved another significant milestone. Its latest VX4 has completed the first phase
of its piloted flight test programme at the Vertical Flight Test Centre.
During Phase 1, the VX4 prototype conducted multiple piloted tethered flights and ground runs, across
20 piloted test sorties, completing a total of 70 individual test points. Together, these tests simulated
various aspects of flight and operational situations needed to validate the prototype’s safety in real-world
flight scenarios, including those outside of its expected operating conditions. By intentionally testing the
aircraft’s ability to handle failures, Vertical demonstrated the underlying safety of its design.
One of the most important tests successfully carried out included simulating the failure of one Electric
Propulsion Unit (EPU) – inoperative testing – while in piloted tethered flight, to ensure the aircraft responds
correctly and continues to be safe while in flight conditions.
These tests have enabled Vertical engineers to collect and measure 35,000 flight and system parameters
and verify that all systems are operating correctly and safely in different conditions ahead of further
expanding the flight test envelope to piloted thrustborne flight.
Alongside Phase 1 testing, Vertical’s engineers also completed more advanced low and high-speed taxi
tests, including deliberately failing EPUs at high taxi speeds to confirm controllability and safety. This
verified ground handling characteristics throughout the taxi envelope, as well as aerodynamic characteristics
for increasing speed, while in a safe, ground test environment.
Vertical is continuing to work closely with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on expanding its Permit to Fly
as it prepares for Phase 2 of testing which will see the VX4 prototype undergo piloted thrustborne flight tests.
Vertical is currently developing an identical full-scale prototype which will accelerate the VX4’s flight test
programme and demonstration capability. The company will take flight test learnings from both prototypes
into the design and development of the certified VX4 model.
CEO of Vertical Aerospace, Stuart Simpson, said:
“It took us just one week to go from our first ground test to our chief test pilot flying the VX4, and we have
been making outstanding progress since then. We continue to prove the safety and performance of our
design and technology, which we believe to be market-leading. Completing this first phase of testing is a
significant feat for any eVTOL company and shows the strength of our aircraft, team, and our partners as
we progress through our flight test programme and head towards our goal of creating a better way to travel.”
.jpg "Photo Alex Rickard Photography")
