- Phase 1 included tethered flights, ground taxi testing and
high-powered ground runs, all with a pilot on board.
- Vertical is now preparing to progress to piloted untethered
thrustborne testing, as soon as it receives permission from the UK
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
- The VX4 went from its first powered ground test to 'wheels
up’ in just one week – three times faster than the previous
prototype.
Vertical Aerospace (Vertical) [NYSE: EVTL], a global aerospace
and technology company pioneering zero-emissions aviation, has
achieved another significant milestone. Its latest VX4 has
completed the first phase of its piloted flight test programme at
the Vertical Flight Test Centre.
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the full release here:
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Vertical's Chief Test Pilot flys the
latest VX4 prototype during phase one of its flight test programme
in September. (Photo: Buiness Wire)
During Phase 1, the VX4 prototype conducted multiple piloted
tethered flights and ground runs, across 20 piloted test sorties,
completing a total of 70 individual test points. Together, these
tests simulated various aspects of flight and operational
situations needed to validate the prototype’s safety in real-world
flight scenarios, including those outside of its expected operating
conditions. By intentionally testing the aircraft's ability to
handle failures, Vertical demonstrated the underlying safety of its
design.
One of the most important tests successfully carried out
included simulating the failure of one Electric Propulsion Unit
(EPU) – inoperative testing – while in piloted tethered flight, to
ensure the aircraft responds correctly and continues to be safe
while in flight conditions.
These tests have enabled Vertical engineers to collect and
measure 35,000 flight and system parameters and verify that all
systems are operating correctly and safely in different conditions
ahead of further expanding the flight test envelope to piloted
thrustborne flight.
Alongside Phase 1 testing, Vertical’s engineers also completed
more advanced low and high-speed taxi tests, including deliberately
failing EPUs at high taxi speeds to confirm controllability and
safety. This verified ground handling characteristics throughout
the taxi envelope, as well as aerodynamic characteristics for
increasing speed, while in a safe, ground test environment.
Vertical is continuing to work closely with the UK Civil
Aviation Authority (CAA) on expanding its Permit to Fly as it
prepares for Phase 2 of testing which will see the VX4 prototype
undergo piloted thrustborne flight tests.
Vertical is currently developing an identical full-scale
prototype which will accelerate the VX4’s flight test programme and
demonstration capability. The company will take flight test
learnings from both prototypes into the design and development of
the certified VX4 model.
CEO of Vertical Aerospace, Stuart Simpson, said:
“It took us just one week to go from our first ground test to
our chief test pilot flying the VX4, and we have been making
outstanding progress since then. We continue to prove the safety
and performance of our design and technology, which we believe to
be market leading. Completing this first phase of testing is a
significant feat for any eVTOL company and shows the strength of
our aircraft, team, and our partners as we progress through our
flight test programme and head towards our goal of creating a
better way to travel.”
Phase 1 of testing included:
- Piloted tethered flight: performed using closed loop
flight control to ensure the aircraft's stability and safety in a
controlled environment. Also included simulated failure testing to
validate one EPU deliberately failing and assessing automatic
aircraft response to bring other engines to maximum power output
while in tethered flight.
- Ground vibration testing (GVT): Working with specialists
from world leading ATA Engineering – who performed GVT testing on
the $10 billion James Webb telescope - eight heavy duty shakers
were installed on the VX4 while it was suspended in the air to
stress test the aircraft in different situations when flying, such
as turbulence. 350 accelerometers - devices that measure the
aircraft’s movements and vibrations during testing - were installed
on the inside and outside of the aircraft to collect the data.
- Powertrain testing: Understanding how the powertrain is
operating and evaluating all the components that generate and
deliver power to the propellors. This includes a High Voltage (HV)
ripple test to measure and analyse voltage fluctuations (ripple)
generated on the powertrain and ensuring the battery can handle it,
even at low charge, while providing a stable power supply. This is
carried out while the aircraft is tethered in hover.
- Dynamic testing: Ensuring all systems are functioning
correctly before they are put into use in flight in real-life
conditions – such as powering up, checking the parts are installed
and connected correctly and the systems and components work.
- Propellor testing: Propeller balancing and spinning
tests to measure weight distribution of each propeller blade to
ensure vibrations are minimised for smooth, stable flying.
- Taxi testing: VX4 is piloted at low and high speeds on
the ground to test the aircraft can move forwards and backwards
effectively, testing brake performance and direction of control
using differential thrust.
Notes to Editors
Piloted flight test programme explainer:
- Phase 1: Tethered: the VX4 will perform stabilised hover while
loosely tethered to the ground - COMPLETE
- Phase 2: Thrustborne: the VX4 will take-off and land vertically
and conduct low speed flight manoeuvres with lift generated by the
propellers.
- Phase 3: Wingborne: the VX4 will take-off, fly and land like a
conventional aircraft, with lift generated by the wing.
- Phase 4: Transition: The VX4 will transition between
thrustborne and wingborne flight, and vice versa.
New VX4 prototype
This next-generation VX4 is more powerful than the previous
full-scale prototype, with an impressive 20% increase in the power
to weight ratio, enabling the aircraft to reach speeds of up to
150mph – the certification aircraft’s intended cruise speed.
The aircraft has been designed and built alongside global
aerospace partners, including GKN Aerospace, Honeywell, Hanwha,
Molicel, Leonardo and Syensqo. It features Vertical’s next
generation propellers and new proprietary battery technology,
capable of delivering 1.4 MW of peak power and which has been
designed and built at the state-of-the-art Vertical Energy Centre
near Bristol, the UK’s most advanced aerospace battery
facility.
About Vertical Aerospace
Vertical Aerospace is a global aerospace and technology company
pioneering electric aviation. Vertical is creating a safer, cleaner
and quieter way to travel. Vertical’s VX4 is a piloted, four
passenger, Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft,
with zero operating emissions. Vertical combines partnering with
leading aerospace companies, including GKN, Honeywell and Leonardo,
with developing its own proprietary battery and propeller
technology to develop the world’s most advanced and safest
eVTOL.
Vertical has 1,500 pre-orders of the VX4 worth $6bn, with
customers across four continents, including Virgin Atlantic,
American Airlines, Japan Airlines, GOL and Bristow.
Headquartered in Bristol, the epicentre of the UK’s aerospace
industry, Vertical was founded in 2016 by Stephen Fitzpatrick,
founder of the OVO Group, Europe’s largest independent energy
retailer. Vertical’s experienced leadership team comes from top
tier automotive and aerospace companies such as Rolls-Royce,
Airbus, GM and Leonardo. Together they have previously certified
and supported over 30 different civil and military aircraft and
propulsion systems.
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
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 design and manufacture of the
VX4, the features and capabilities of the VX4, business strategy
and plans and objectives of management for future operations,
including the building and testing of our prototype aircrafts on
timelines projected, including completion of the piloted test
programme phases, selection of suppliers, 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, our ability and
plans to raise additional capital to fund our operations, the
differential strategy compared to our peer group, expectations
surrounding pre-orders and commitments, our future results of
operations and financial position and expected financial
performance and operational performance, liquidity, growth and
profitability strategies, our plans to mitigate the risk that we
are unable to continue as a going concern, our plans for capital
expenditures, 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
preorders 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; 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
14, 2024, 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.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240912188188/en/
Justin Bates, Head of Communications
justin.bates@vertical-aerospace.com +44 7878 357 463
Vertical Aerospace (NYSE:EVTL)
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