Flying electric taxi startup Vertical Aerospace has completed its first remotely-operated test flight without being tethered in a key step towards a piloted test run.
The VX4, which takes off and lands vertically, was flown at about 70km per hour at Cotswold Airport. The Bristol-based company said it plans to conduct more flights in the “coming months”, and will continue work on its second prototype aircraft.
Vertical Aerospace is one of a handful of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) companies aiming to revolutionise urban travel.
Vertical Aerospace’s VX4 is being designed to carry four passengers and a pilot at speeds of up to 200mph.
A statement posted by Vertical Aerospace read: “We’re delighted to announce that Vertical has successfully flown our full-scale electric aircraft at Cotswold Airport, reaching our target speed of 40kts (just over 40mph or 70 kmh) through a series of rigorous, remotely-piloted ‘thrustborne’ test flights.”
The next step for Vertical Aerospace will be to conduct tests with an onboard pilot.
Stephen Fitzpatrick founded the mobility startup in 2016 after creating OVO Energy. Vertical Aerospace listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2021 following a merger with special purpose acquisition company Broadstone.
The company has received orders for its vehicles from the likes of South Korean firm Kakao Mobility for as many as 50 VX4s.
In its Q1 2023 financial results, Vertical Aerospace said it had a net operating loss of £23m for the three months of the year, up from £18m for the same period last year.
Its balance sheet at the end of the first quarter also showed it has £104m in cash and cash equivalents.