United Kingdom-based startup Vertical Aerospace has announced the a prototype of thecompany’s flagship VX4 UAM platform has successfully cleared its first phase of piloted testing.
Phase 1 of the VX4’s piloted testing regime entailed the execution of 20 sorties, putting the platform through its paces in domains such as ground taxi functions, high powered runs and, most notably, tethered flight and the simulated failure of one of the aircraft’s Electric Propulsion Units (EPU).
Vertical will now move to secure authorization for untethered flight testing from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Vertical has secured in excess of 1,500 pre-orders for the planned production model of its VX4 platform, which is scheduled to enter operation circa 2025-2026.
