Aircraft
Vertical Starts Ground Tests With Second VX4 eVTOL Prototype
Flight tests will start when the UK Civil Aviation Authority issues a permit to fly
Vertical Aerospace VX4 prototype
Ground testing of Vertical Aerospace's second VX4 eVTOL prototype includes measuring the weight distribution of each propeller blade to ensure vibrations are minimised for smooth, stable flying. © Vertical Aerospace

Vertical Aerospace has started powered ground testing with its second VX4 eVTOL prototype aircraft in preparations for flight tests that will begin once the UK Civil Aviation Authority has issued the required permit to fly. The UK company announced on Tuesday that completed tests already include propeller balancing and spinning, with testing of the electric powertrain and batteries set to start in the next few days.

For those tests, Vertical will anchor the aircraft to the ground to prevent liftoff and then run the 1.4-megawatt powertrain at various power levels to measure thrust output, system integration, and structural integrity. The propeller balancing and spinning tests measure the weight distribution of each propeller blade to ensure vibrations are minimized for smooth, stable flying.