- UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issues its first eVTOL Design
Organisation Approval to Vertical Aerospace (Vertical), underlining
regulatory confidence
- Vertical submits its certification basis proposal to the CAA
for its VX4 aircraft, with technical familiarisations to follow
shortly
- Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) announces acceptance of VX4
validation programme; success will allow the aircraft to be
operated in Japan
- Vertical has now formally commenced its certification journey
with four aviation regulators in the UK, Europe, USA and Japan
Vertical Aerospace (Vertical) [NYSE: EVTL], a global aerospace
and technology company that is pioneering zero-emissions aviation,
today announces further progress on its path to certification for
the VX4, including securing the first ever Design Organisation
Approval (DOA) issued to an eVTOL manufacturer by the UK Civil
Aviation Authority.
Design Organisation Approval
UK and European aerospace companies cannot hold a Type
Certificate without being granted a DOA. The DOA authorises
Vertical to conduct design activities and issue design approvals
within the DOA’s scope of approval. As an approved Design
Organisation, Vertical will have increasing authority and
privileges as we progress through the design and certification
programme of the VX4. This approval means the CAA is satisfied that
Vertical has the capability to design a safe and reliable aircraft
and aviation-related products to the highest standards. This is
expected to streamline the steps towards obtaining Type
Certification.
The process for achieving DOA involved a rigorous assessment of
Vertical’s procedures, its quality management system, the
competence of its technical workforce, and the necessary facilities
and equipment to support the design activities to certify the VX4
aircraft.
Certification progress
Earlier this month, the CAA announced its intention to adopt
European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) Means of Compliance
to SC-VTOL, the standards against which European and now UK
manufacturers will design eVTOLs. Vertical continues working
closely with the CAA on the Type Certification of its VX4 aircraft,
having recently submitted its certification basis proposal to the
regulator.
Taken together, this progress provides essential regulatory
clarity to Vertical on the requirements for the development of its
VX4 aircraft and further discussions will continue with the CAA in
coming months, including robust technical familiarisations. This
positions the UK, alongside Europe, as a market with a clear
regulatory framework for the design and manufacture of these novel
electric aircraft.
Japanese validation
Vertical has also formally commenced its certification efforts
in Japan, following the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau’s (JCAB)
acceptance of the VX4’s validation programme. Successful validation
of the VX4’s Type Certificate will allow the aircraft to be
operated in this key market. Vertical is well-positioned in Japan,
having partnered with Japan Airlines (JAL), through the placement
of up to 100 VX4 pre-orders with Avolon, as well as with Marubeni
Corporation for up to 200 VX4 pre-orders. In January 2023, Marubeni
made a pre-delivery payment to Vertical for the reservation of its
first 25 VX4 aircraft delivery slots out of the 200 VX4 conditional
pre-orders. In March 2023, it was announced that Marubeni would be
one of the operators of the Advanced Air Mobility showcase for the
2025 Osaka World Expo to fly with Vertical’s VX4.
JCAB formally becomes the fourth aviation regulator Vertical is
working closely with, including the CAA on Type Certification and
concurrent validation with EASA and the US Federal Aviation
Authority (FAA). Vertical is also in discussions with the National
Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil on the VX4’s future validation
programme. The establishment of this broad coalition of regulators
will enable Vertical to deliver the VX4 into service
internationally, with its airline, helicopter operator, aircraft
lessor, business aviation and tourism group customers.
Stephen Fitzpatrick, Vertical’s Founder and CEO, said “I
am immensely proud that Vertical is the first British electric
aircraft company in history to receive a DOA from the UK aviation
regulator. This approval is a critical step forward in our mission
to decarbonise air travel and bring the UK’s first electric
aircraft to market. We are grateful for the CAA's commitment to
advancing sustainable aviation, which allows us to build on the
UK's proud aerospace tradition.”
Paul Harper, Vertical’s Head of Certification, said
“Receiving a DOA from the CAA is a huge testament to our team and
the hard work we are doing to ensure safety is at the core of the
VX4. It represents a significant milestone on our journey to Type
Certification and we would like to thank the CAA for their guidance
and continued support.
I believe that in formally working with JCAB, as the fourth
aviation regulator Vertical is committed to certifying with, we are
on track for establishing the most detailed understanding of global
regulators’ needs and differences for eVTOLs. This will give us a
competitive edge in bringing the VX4 into service.”
Garry Lathey, Design and Certification Manager at the UK
Civil Aviation Authority, said: “We are committed to enabling
innovators such as Vertical take their ideas to market in a safe,
secure and sustainable way. The granting of Design Organisation
Approval to Vertical is an essential step on their journey bringing
an eVTOL aircraft into service. It emphasises our commitment to
making the UK a key destination for aviation innovators. It’s also
vital that this work has an international impact and so in all our
efforts we aim to work collaboratively with other regulatory bodies
around the world to support the future of eVTOL flight and maintain
the high safety standards that the public expects.”
Notes to Editors
- Vertical Aerospace’s DOA number is UK.21J.1001.
- The type of DOA is: Small Aeroplane with eVTOL limitation
- Vertical's engineering design organisation is now compliant
with the UK regulatory requirements of Part 21 Subpart J.
About Vertical Aerospace
Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL) is pioneering electric aviation.
The Company was founded in 2016 by Stephen Fitzpatrick, an
established entrepreneur best known as the founder of the OVO
Group, a leading energy and technology group and Europe’s largest
independent energy retailer. Vertical has focused on building the
most experienced and senior team in the eVTOL industry, who have
previously certified and supported over 30 different civil and
military aircraft and propulsion systems.
Vertical’s top-tier partner ecosystem, including Rolls-Royce,
Honeywell Aerospace, Leonardo and GKN Aerospace, is expected to
de-risk operational execution and its pathway to certification
allowing for a lean cost structure and enabling production at
scale. Vertical has a leading pre-order book for more than 1,400
aircraft from a diverse global customer base, creating multiple
potential near term and actionable routes to market. Customers
include airlines, aircraft lessors, helicopter operators and
tourism groups, including American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic,
Avolon, Bristow, Marubeni, Iberojet and FLYINGGROUP, as well as
Japan Airlines (JAL), Gol, Air Greenland, Gozen Holding and
AirAsia, through Avolon’s VX4 placements.
Vertical’s VX4 eVTOL is projected to be capable of transporting
a pilot and up to four passengers, traveling distances of up to 100
miles, and achieving a cruise speed of 150 miles per hour, while
producing minimal noise and zero operating emissions.
Having been issued with its Permit to Fly from the UK’s Civil
Aviation Authority in September 2022, Vertical’s VX4 prototype has
successfully undertaken piloted flight tests. Vertical is now in
the next stages of the flight test programme, which is expected to
reach higher altitudes and speeds, as well as demonstrating the
transition from vertical to horizontal flight.
Vertical Media Kit
Available here
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995 that relate to our current expectations and views of future
events. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by
the safe harbour provisions for forward-looking statements as
contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of
the Exchange Act. Any express or implied statements contained in
this press release that are not statements of historical fact may
be deemed to be forward-looking statements, including, without
limitation, statements regarding the certification and the
commercialization of the VX4 and our ability to achieve regulatory
certification of our aircraft product with any of our intended
regulators, on any particular timeline or at all, expectations
surrounding conditional pre-orders and commitments, which may be
terminated at any time by either party and that pre-delivery
payments may be fully refundable upon certain circumstances, the
features and capabilities of the VX4, as well as statements that
include the words “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “project,”
“forecast,” “estimate,” “may,” “should,” “anticipate,” “will,”
“aim,” “potential,” “continue,” “are likely to” and similar
statements of a future or forward-looking nature. Forward-looking
statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known
and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those projected, including, without
limitation: our limited operating history without manufactured
non-prototype aircraft or completed eVTOL aircraft customer order;
our history of losses and the expectation to incur significant
expenses and continuing losses for the foreseeable future; the
market for eVTOL aircraft being in a relatively early stage; our
potential inability to produce, certify or launch aircraft in the
volumes or timelines projected; the potential inability to obtain
the necessary certifications for production and operation within
any projected timeline, or at all; any accidents or incidents
involving eVTOL aircraft could harm our business; our dependence on
partners and suppliers for the components in our aircraft and for
operational needs; the potential that certain strategic
partnerships may not materialize into long-term partnership
arrangements; all of the pre-orders received are conditional and
may be terminated at any time and any pre-delivery payments may be
fully refundable upon certain specified dates; any circumstances;
the inability for our aircraft to perform at the level we expect
and may have potential defects; any potential failure to
effectively manage our growth; our inability to recruit and retain
senior management and other highly skilled personnel; our ability
to raise additional funds when we need or want them, or at all, to
fund our operations; our limited cash and cash equivalents and
recurring losses from our operations raise significant doubt (or
raise substantial doubt as contemplated by PCAOB standards)
regarding our ability to continue as a going concern; we have
previous identified material weaknesses in our internal controls
over financial reporting which if we fail to properly remediate,
could adversely affect our results of operations, investor
confidence in us and the market price of our ordinary shares; as a
foreign private issuer we follow certain home country corporate
governance rules, are not subject to U.S. proxy rules and are
subject to Exchange Act reporting obligations that, to some extent,
are more lenient and less frequent than those of a U.S. domestic
public company; and the other important factors discussed under the
caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 22,
2023, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other
filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in
this press release speak only as of the date hereof and accordingly
undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. We disclaim
any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any
forward-looking statements contained in this press release, whether
as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other
than to the extent required by applicable law.
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Vertical Aerospace Ambika Sharma
nepeanverticalteam@nepean.co.uk +44 7596 474 020
Eduardo Royes investors@vertical-aerospace.com +1 (646)
200-8871
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