Vertical Aerospace Completes Piloted Thrustborne Flight Manoeuvres

Vertical is reportedly only the second company in the world to achieve piloted thrustborne flight manoeuvres with a full-scale vectored thrust eVTOL aircraft By Joe Macey / 08 Jan 2025
Follow AAMi

Vertical Aerospace has taken another significant step in its eVTOL testing programme by successfully completing its first piloted thrustborne flight manoeuvres.

eVTOL testing programme milestone by Vertical Aerospace.
Vertical Aerospace low speed flight manoeuvres, Cotswolds Airport, Gloucestershire, 7th January 2025. Photography by Adam Gasson/Vertical Aerospace.

The milestone was achieved after the business received approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to expand its Permit to Fly, enabling Vertical to progress from piloted thrustborne hover to piloted thrustborne low-speed flight manoeuvres at altitude. The latest flight included roll, yaw and spot turn manoeuvres and was flown by Simon Davies, Vertical’s Chief Test Pilot.

Completing the initial piloted thrustborne manoeuvres at its Flight Test Centre made Vertical only the second company worldwide to achieve this critical step using a full scale vectored thrust eVTOL aircraft.

Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, said, “Starting the year with this milestone is a fantastic achievement and testament to the dedication of our team and partners. Becoming one of only two companies globally to conduct piloted thrustborne flight manoeuvres in a full-scale vectored thrust eVTOL underscores the progress we’re making toward our Flightpath 2030 strategy and our vision to transform the way the world moves. The team is now focused on completing this phase while we prepare for the significant next step of wingborne flight.”

Vertical’s VX4 aircraft has now progressed from piloted hover flight to piloted, low-speed manoeuvres using lift generated by the propellers. Thrustborne flights are designed to assess the aircraft’s stability, battery efficiency, control characteristics, aerodynamics, structural and dynamic loads and performance across different speeds, enabling further assessment of how the VX4 behaves under real-world flight conditions.

At the same time, Vertical will work with the CAA to expand its Permit to Fly, clearing the path for Phase 3 — wingborne flight tests. This phase, which includes flying beyond the airfield boundaries, will effectively serve as a mini-certification of the prototype, laying the groundwork for the VX4’s full certification.

Vertical has also appointed Tim Eldridge as test pilot to support the growing demands of its flight test programme. With over two decades of flight test experience in the Royal Navy, including testing aircraft such as the Sea King, Merlin, Chinook, and Lynx, Tim brings exceptional expertise to the team.

Posted by Joe Macey Joseph Macey is a Content Specialist at Advanced Air Mobility International, focusing on emerging aviation technologies since joining in 2022. He has particular expertise in eVTOLs, vertiports, and propulsion systems. A graduate of Falmouth University in Journalism, Joseph began his career in 2019 as a local reporter. His journalism experience sharpens both his reporting and interview skills, enabling him to deliver well-informed, authoritative insights on the latest trends in the aviation sector. Connect

Latest Articles

XPENG AEROHT eVTOL Secures Manned Flight Permit & Partnership Agreement in UAE

XPENG AEROHT has been granted a manned flight permit in the UAE and signed a collaboration for its modular flying car, Land Aircraft Carrier, following successful flight demonstrations, inspections, and advancements in eVTOL technology

Sep 16, 2025
Future Passenger Journeys Combining eVTOL Flights & Rail

SkyDrive and JR East demonstrated how eVTOL flights could seamlessly connect with rail travel, showcasing future multimodal transportation and announcing a SKYDRIVE aircraft pre-order

Sep 15, 2025
Piloted Wingborne Testing Completed for Full-Scale eVTOL Prototype

Vertical Aerospace has completed Phase 3 piloted wingborne testing of its full-scale VX4 eVTOL prototype, demonstrating stable takeoff, flight, and landing using wing-generated lift over 250 miles of test flights in preparation for its final transition stage

Sep 12, 2025
Joby Demonstrates Superpilot Autonomous Flight in U.S. Pacific Defense Exercise

Joby Aviation has successfully validated its Superpilot autonomous flight system during the U.S. Air Force’s REFORPAC exercise, completing over 7,000 miles and 40 hours of autonomous operations across the Pacific

Sep 11, 2025
Jeju Appoints Lead Developer for Korea’s First Vertiport Network

Skyports Infrastructure has been appointed by the Jeju Provincial Government to develop Korea’s first commercial vertiport network, laying the foundation for Advanced Air Mobility services ahead of eVTOL operations expected by 2028

Sep 10, 2025
AIR Secures FAA Experimental Airworthiness Certificate for New eVTOL Prototype

AIR has secured FAA certification for its latest eVTOL prototype, expanding U.S. testing, advancing multi-domain platforms, and accelerating progress toward widespread electric flight adoption

Sep 09, 2025