Aircraft
Vertical Claims Lead with eVTOL Flight Tests and Payload
Piloted transition flights with full-scale prototype are now underway
Vertical Aerospace VX4 eVTOL test flight
On November 13, Vertical Aerospace achieved the first piloted transition flight with its VX4 eVTOL prototype.

Vertical Aerospace has begun piloted transition flights with one of its full-scale prototypes for the VX4 eVTOL aircraft it intends to bring to market in 2028. The UK company announced the milestone on November 13, claiming to be the first eVTOL developer to achieve this stage in a flight test campaign under permit-to-fly oversight from its air safety regulator.

Conducted at its test site at Kemble Airport in the west of England, the flight marks the start of a critical new phase of testing that will evaluate multiple operational modes for both thrustborne and wingborne flight. Over the next few weeks, the company aims to conduct a series of 11 flights, during which it will increase speeds and evaluate key systems, including the tilting propellers.