Aircraft
Vertical Makes eVTOL Flight Debut at Farnborough Show
UK manufacturer confirms that Valo type certification is now expected in 2029
Vertical arriving at FIA 2026
© Vertical

The Farnborough Airshow flying display this week will include an eVTOL aircraft for the first time, with Vertical Aerospace’s VX4 prototype making its debut. The daily demonstration flights have been approved by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) under the UK start-up’s permit to fly, which now covers public appearances away from its flight test center at Cotswold Airport in the west of England.

Vertical is also displaying a mock-up of the six-passenger Valo eVTOL model, for which it now aims to complete UK and EASA type certification in 2029—a year later than previously stated—according to a program update released last week. The company has reported provisional orders for more than 1,500 of the aircraft from customers including American Airlines, Bristow, Gol, Japan Airlines, and Avolon.