Vertical Aerospace has successfully completed a historic two-way piloted transition flight using its full-scale tiltrotor eVTOL aircraft under civil aviation regulatory oversight.
On 14 April 2026, the company became the second globally to achieve this milestone and the first to do so under Design Organisation Approval. Chief Test Pilot Simon Davies executed the flight, which involved transitioning from vertical take-off to wingborne cruise and back to a vertical landing in one continuous operation. This achievement follows the successful thrustborne transition completed earlier in the month and represents the defining capability of eVTOL aviation.
This technical validation is a prerequisite for the commercial viability of Valo, the company’s electric air taxi. The ability to transition between flight modes allows the aircraft to operate from city-centre vertiports and rooftops while maintaining the efficiency of an airplane during transit. Such capability is intended to support planned routes like Canary Wharf to Heathrow and JFK to Manhattan without the requirement of a runway.
Stuart Simpson, CEO, Vertical Aerospace, said, “This is now the most significant technical milestone in our history. Full piloted transition is the most critical and complex challenge in eVTOL development, and we’ve achieved it under more rigorous regulatory oversight than anyone in the category. We’re not just participating in this industry – we are helping to define it. Our focus now is on executing our roadmap and bringing certified electric flight into commercial service.”
The flight test program is being conducted under the direct oversight of the UK Civil Aviation Authority in collaboration with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. Following the successful proof of all flight phases, the project moves toward a critical design review where the aircraft design will be locked. The next phase involves the construction of seven pre-production Valo aircraft in the UK, which will be used for compliance and verification testing.
Vertical is targeting full certification for the Valo in 2028, with commercial entry into service expected shortly thereafter. The certification framework is designed for transferability to global regulators including the FAA in the United States, ANAC in Brazil, and the JCAB in Japan. This supports a global deployment strategy with partners such as American Airlines, Avolon, Bristow, GOL, and Japan Airlines.
Steve Johnson, Vice Chair and Chief Strategy Officer, American Airlines, commented, “Advanced air mobility represents a natural extension of American’s broader commitment to innovation and shaping the next era of aviation. As both an investor and long-term supporter of Vertical Aerospace, we share a clear ambition to make safe, scalable, and sustainable eVTOL flight a reality, and today’s news is a foundational step toward that end. Together, we’re not just imagining the future of travel, we’re actively building it.”
The milestone also highlights the UK’s position in the next-generation aerospace sector, with the company’s ecosystem projected to grow to over 2,000 jobs by 2035. UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Peter Kyle, said, “This is a fantastic milestone not only for Vertical, but for the UK’s position in the future of aerospace as we continue to lead the way on zero emission flight. Through our Industrial Strategy and the Aerospace Technology Institute we’re backing companies like Vertical who are demonstrating the kind of innovation, engineering excellence and export potential that can keep Britain at the forefront of the global aerospace industry, and create high-skilled jobs for local people.”
Engineering support for the transition flight included contributions from Honeywell Aerospace regarding flight control systems. Bob Buddecke, president, Electronic Solutions, Honeywell Aerospace, added, “Successful transition flight represents meaningful progress not only for Vertical, but for the entire advanced air mobility industry. Our Compact Fly-by-Wire team worked closely with Vertical’s team to help enable the successful flight, and we expect countless more to come. Vertical’s progress underscores the strength of our joint engineering approach and the importance of disciplined system integration in bringing next-generation aircraft to market.”
Looking ahead, Vertical plans to conduct public flight demonstrations, including an appearance at the Farnborough International Airshow in July. The company is also expanding its Vertical Energy Center and manufacturing facilities to support the production of the first full-scale Valo certification aircraft.
