Vertical Aerospace has completed the second stage of piloted thrustborne testing of its full-scale VX4 prototype. During Phase 2, the aircraft completed more than 30 flights with test points, including successful hover and low-speed flight manoeuvres, as well as executing handling and performance procedures, including roll, yaw, and spot-turns. As a result, the company said its engineers were able “to collect hundreds of data points to determine the reliability of the aircraft systems, as well as thrust levels, lift efficiency, power-to-thrust ratio, and control responsiveness.”
Commenting on the test flights, Simon Davies, Vertical’s Chief Test Pilot, said: “This phase of testing allowed us to put the VX4 through key flight manoeuvres in real-world conditions, giving us valuable insights into its reliability and responsiveness under more demanding scenarios. The aircraft performed exceptionally, being just as stable and simple to fly as our simulations.”
The next stage of testing awaits the UK CAA, which must approve an expansion of the VX4 Permit to Fly, which will allow it to fly outside the confines of the Kemble Airfield test base. Once the approval is received, the next step will be CTOL takeoffs and landings to confirm the aircraft’s wingborne behaviour and handling. Once completed, the final phase of prototype testing will be thrust-to-wingborne transitions.
While the company awaits its CAA Permit expansion, the focus has shifted to system and component testing and the construction of a third prototype, identical to prototype 2, aimed at accelerating the flight test programme and demonstration capability.
Image: Vertical Aerospace
