Vertical clears transition hurdle with VX4 prototype

In what could be a pivotal week for Vertical Aerospace, the UK-based developer has cleared a major development hurdle, performing a full piloted transition sequence with its VX4 electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) prototype.

Conducted from its Kemble airfield base on 14 April, the manoeuvre, flown by chief test pilot Simon Davies, saw the VX4 take off vertically, transition to wing-borne cruise with its front propellers tilted forwards, and then return the propellers to an upright position to perform a vertical landing.

It builds on a thrust-borne transition conducted on 2 April.

Vertical says the milestone sees it become only the second company globally – after Joby Aviation – to carry out a piloted two-way transition flight in a full-scale tiltrotor eVTOL aircraft.

“This is now the most significant technical milestone in our history. Full piloted transition is the most critical and complex challenge in eVTOL development, and we’ve achieved it under more rigorous regulatory oversight than anyone in the category,” says Stuart Simpson, chief executive, Vertical Aerospace.

“We’re not just participating in this industry – we are helping to define it. Our focus now is on executing our roadmap and bringing certified electric flight into commercial service.”

Vertical’s offering in the space is a four-passenger aircraft it calls the Valo, which is set to perform its first flight in 2027, ahead of certification in 2028.

However, to reach that point, Vertical needs to secure additional funding to extend its cash runway beyond the second half of this year – a milestone that could come at the end of this week.

In late March, it announced an outline agreement worth a total of $850 million with existing majority shareholder Mudrick Capital and Yorkville Advisors Global. At the time, it said it hoped to finalise the investment by 19 April.