British developed winged eVTOL makes successful test flight in open airspace

A prototype of what could become Britain's first flying taxi service has made European aviation history with the first-ever piloted wingborne flight of a winged electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in open airspace.

The landmark flight of the Vertical Aerospace VX4 prototype saw the aircraft take-off from Cotswold Airport, fly and land like a conventional aircraft, with lift generated by the wing.

By achieving stable and controlled wingborne flight, Vertical has taken a significant step toward the next major milestone: a full piloted transition flight, expected in the second half of 2025. This will demonstrate the VX4’s ability to shift seamlessly between vertical lift and forward cruise.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approved the flight following a rigorous review of tens of thousands of pages of safety and technical documentation.

Chief Test Pilot, Simon Davies, said, “Taking the aircraft beyond the airfield and cruising over the Cotswolds for the first time was truly special and a career highlight for me. Our performance predictions were absolutely spot on, and the aircraft took off as a natural extension of all the ground tests and preparation we’ve done.

“There are aircraft which are safe and capable but not always enjoyable to fly. The VX4 was not only safe but was an absolute pleasure. It is responsive, smooth, simple to operate and the sound level from the propellers is quiet and pleasant in the cockpit. An honour to fly and a real testament to the incredible team behind it.”

Bristol-based Vertical is currently the only company globally flying a piloted winged eVTOL prototype that’s been developed under a Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from the UK CAA. The CAA is working closely with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for their concurrent validation and certifying the VX4 to the highest safety standards required for commercial use.

Stuart Simpson, CEO, Vertical Aerospace, said, “Achieving piloted wingborne flight in open airspace under the oversight of the CAA is an important moment in our certification journey. Operating under the UK’s rigorous regulatory framework means we share the burden of safety with our regulator - every step must be approved, and that’s by design. It amounts to a mini certification of our prototype and gives us a clearer, faster path to type certification.

“Our decision to put a pilot into the VX4 early was deliberate – real-world piloted flight delivers insights no simulation can. This milestone proves the capability of the aircraft and the maturity of our programme as we move toward commercial operations.”

The achievement has also been supported by early UK government investment through programmes including the Aerospace Technology Institute and the Future Flight Challenge. These initiatives have contributed to the development of Vertical’s technology and flight test campaign, and form part of wider efforts to advance the UK’s net zero and aerospace ambitions.

UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds, said, “This is a fantastic milestone for Vertical and for the UK’s world-class aerospace sector. Breakthroughs like this show how government and business can work together to keep the UK at the cutting edge of innovation. Our modern Industrial Strategy will double down on this success by giving investors the confidence they need to back UK advanced manufacturing for the long term, bringing good, green jobs and growth across the UK as part of our Plan for Change.”

Vertical says the test flight vindicates its decision to adopt wingborne flight in which the VX4 operates like a conventional aircraft using lift generated by its wings, rather than relying solely on rotor thrust. This low-power, quiet, and range-efficient mode of flight, says Vertical, is key to making electric air travel practical, scalable, and economically viable.

During the test the VX4 reached speeds of up to 150 mph and altitudes close to 2,000 ft under real-world conditions. Engineers captured more than 30,000 in-flight data parameters, confirming the aircraft performed exceptionally across stability, control, and energy usage.

Vertical is developing the VX4 in partnership with leading aerospace companies, including GKN, Honeywell and Leonardo. It has secured around 1,500 pre-orders with customers across four continents, including American Airlines, Japan Airlines, GOL and Bristow.  Headquartered in Bristol, the epicentre of the UK’s aerospace industry, Vertical’s leadership team comes from top tier automotive and aerospace companies including RollsRoyce, Airbus, GM and Leonardo.