Latest news with #SimonDavies
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Vertical Aerospace's First eVTOL Prototype Flight Is a Success
Vertical Aerospace has taken a major step toward commercializing its VX4 winged eVTOL, or electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. Last Thursday, the electric aviation startup's prototype performed its first wingborne flight with approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority, making the VX4 the first winged eVTOL to have flown through open European airspace. Vertical's chief test pilot, Simon Davies, lifted the prototype from Cotswold Airport and navigated it through a brief climb before cruising around the vicinity at an altitude of 2,000 feet. According to Aviation International News, the VX4 reached a maximum speed of 120 knots (138 miles per hour). As the prototype flew, on-ground engineers captured more than 30,000 in-flight data parameters related to stability, control, and energy consumption. Once the VX4 touched down again, Vertical confirmed the aircraft had flown "as expected." "In Phase 3 of testing—wingborne flight—the VX4 operates like a conventional aircraft using lift generated by its wings, rather than relying solely on rotor thrust," Vertical said. "This low-power, quiet, and range-efficient mode of flight is key to making electric air travel practical, scalable, and economically viable." Before Thursday, Vertical had conducted two other flight tests. The first, which took place in September 2024, involved VX4 hovering while loosely tethered to the ground. In February 2025, the prototype took off and landed vertically via its propellers, performing low-speed flight maneuvers in between. Now Vertical is preparing for its final test, dubbed the "transition" phase. Before the end of the year, the VX4 will transition between thrustborne and wingborne flight and back again. This is considered the last major flight milestone before certification for commercial flights. The startup hopes to achieve this step by 2030. Should Vertical—or any other eVTOL brand, for that matter—introduce commercial flights to a metropolitan region such as London, the flights could reduce conventional air travel and even longer road trips. In 2023, United Airlines announced that it would introduce an "air taxi route" to the Chicago region in 2025, using Archer Aviation's "Midnight" eVTOL. Though there hasn't been a major update regarding the route since then, Archer's website says it is currently working through Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification processes that will bring its air taxi to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other major cities.
The Independent
5 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Britain's first-ever flying taxi takes to the skies – and you could be using one very soon
The prototype VX4 electric aircraft is the first of its kind to complete a cross-country trip from the Cotswolds in normal airspace outside of test conditions in European aviation history. Developed by Bristol-based start-up Vertical Aerospace, the vehicle is capable of carrying one pilot and four passengers, and can reach speeds of up to 150 mph across a distance of 100 miles. Last month, the government announced £20 million of funding to make the use of commercial drones and flying taxi services a reality. The Department for Transport (DfT) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will be supported by the new Regulatory Innovation Office, which aims to cut red tape to ensure new technology reaches the public sooner. Chief test pilot Simon Davies said: 'Taking the aircraft beyond the airfield and cruising over the Cotswolds for the first time was truly special and a career highlight for me. 'Our performance predictions were absolutely spot on, and the aircraft took off as a natural extension of all the ground tests and preparation we've done. There are aircraft which are safe and capable but not always enjoyable to fly. 'The VX4 was not only safe but was an absolute pleasure. It is responsive, smooth, simple to operate and the sound level from the propellers is quiet and pleasant in the cockpit. An honour to fly, and a real testament to the incredible team behind it.' Industry experts believe the flying taxis could improve connectivity across the UK, with a journey from Brighton to Heathrow estimated to be just 20 minutes. In March, US company Joby Aviation announced its collaboration with Virgin Atlantic which aims to offer 'seamless, zero-emission, short-range journeys across the UK', starting with hubs at Heathrow and Manchester Airport. Joby's electric air taxi is designed to carry a pilot and up to four passengers at speeds of up to 200mph. Labour MP Alice Macdonald raised a scheme by Norwich Airport that aims to 'make East Anglia the heart of aviation innovation' and invited the transport minister to 'take a flight on an electric plane'. Transport minister Mike Kane stressed to MPs earlier this month the government's commitment to "maximise the benefits of future flight technologies, including flying taxis'.
The Independent
6 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Britain's first-ever flying taxi takes to the skies over the Cotswolds
Britain's first-ever flying taxi has completed its first journey as the government backs plans to introduce the service by 2028. The prototype VX4 electric aircraft is the first of its kind to complete a cross-country trip from the Cotswolds in normal airspace outside of test conditions in European aviation history. Developed by Bristol-based start-up Vertical Aerospace, the vehicle is capable of carrying one pilot and four passengers, and can reach speeds of up to 150 mph across a distance of 100 miles. Last month, the government announced £20 million of funding to make the use of commercial drones and flying taxi services a reality. The Department for Transport (DfT) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will be supported by the new Regulatory Innovation Office, which aims to cut red tape to ensure new technology reaches the public sooner. Chief test pilot Simon Davies said: 'Taking the aircraft beyond the airfield and cruising over the Cotswolds for the first time was truly special and a career highlight for me. 'Our performance predictions were absolutely spot on, and the aircraft took off as a natural extension of all the ground tests and preparation we've done. There are aircraft which are safe and capable but not always enjoyable to fly. 'The VX4 was not only safe but was an absolute pleasure. It is responsive, smooth, simple to operate and the sound level from the propellers is quiet and pleasant in the cockpit. An honour to fly, and a real testament to the incredible team behind it.' Industry experts believe the flying taxis could improve connectivity across the UK, with a journey from Brighton to Heathrow estimated to be just 20 minutes. In March, US company Joby Aviation announced its collaboration with Virgin Atlantic which aims to offer 'seamless, zero-emission, short-range journeys across the UK', starting with hubs at Heathrow and Manchester Airport. Joby's electric air taxi is designed to carry a pilot and up to four passengers at speeds of up to 200mph. Labour MP Alice Macdonald raised a scheme by Norwich Airport that aims to 'make East Anglia the heart of aviation innovation' and invited the transport minister to 'take a flight on an electric plane'. Transport minister Mike Kane stressed to MPs earlier this month the government's commitment to "maximise the benefits of future flight technologies, including flying taxis'.
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Incredible moment Britain's first ever flying taxi takes to UK skies with speeds of 150mph and room for four passengers
BRITAIN'S first ever flying taxi has taken to the skies in a successful flight over the Cotswolds. The electric aircraft has room for four passengers, can reach speeds of 150mph and can take of and land vertically like a helicopter. 4 The aircraft use a bank of propellers on each wing Credit: Vertical Aerospace 4 The innovative craft can take off and land vertically Credit: Vertical Aerospace Group Ltd The prototype VX4 electric aircraft was flown by pilot Simon Davies across the Cotswolds. Footage of the flight showed the aircraft spinning up its rotors and taking to the skies. With propellers that can hold the craft in a hovering pattern or rotate and perform like a traditional plane the aircraft can use a runway or take off vertically. It boasts a range of up to 100 miles which it can cover in less than an hour of flying. Developed by Bristol-based Vertical Aerospace, the flying taxi took off and landed using Cotswolds Airport's runway after receiving approval form the Civil Aviation Authority. Video footage of the flight showed off the aircraft's impressive capabilities in its first flight outside of strictly controlled test conditions. It comes after the government set a target to make flying taxis a reality by 2028. Vertical Aerospace's VX4 flight marked the first open airspace flight of a flying taxi in Europe. A hover test of the aircraft was carried out in January and rivals have undertaken test flights in the US and Dubai. Vertical Aerospace has received millions of pounds in UK Government funding to develop the aircraft. The company has also received tens of millions of pounds of funding from private investors. Last month the Government announced £20 million of funding for the Civil Aviation Authority to make flying taxis a reality. Further flights of the VX4 are expected later this year with the craft's transition from hovering to cruising using its wings set to be tested. A group of several companies in the UK are currently working on developing flying taxis. 4 The aircraft have a range of 100 miles and can reach speeds of 150mph Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk 4 The craft, powered by electricity, are designed to be quiet Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk It is hoped that the zero emissions aircraft will be used to ferry passengers in or between urban areas. The aircraft are designed to be quiet, zero emission modes of transport. A trip from Liverpool to Leeds in a flying taxi could take as little as 26 minutes. Flying car promises to transform into plane in two minutes Flying taxis are able to undertake a whole trip without stopping for traffic and travel much faster than conventional ground based transport. Pilot Simon Davies said: 'Taking the aircraft beyond the airfield and cruising over the Cotswolds for the first time was truly special and a career highlight for me. 'Our performance predictions were absolutely spot on, and the aircraft took off as a natural extension of all the ground tests and preparation we've done.' Earlier this year, Vertical Aerospace received a £70m bailout from Mudrick Capital, a US investment fund. Founder Stephen Fitzpatrick ceded control of the business as part of the rescue plan.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Incredible moment Britain's first ever flying taxi takes to UK skies with speeds of 150mph and room for four passengers
BRITAIN'S first ever flying taxi has taken to the skies in a successful flight over the Cotswolds. The electric aircraft has room for four passengers, can reach speeds of 150mph and can take of and land vertically like a helicopter. 4 4 The prototype VX4 electric aircraft was flown by pilot Simon Davies across the Cotswolds. Footage of the flight showed the aircraft spinning up its rotors and taking to the skies. With propellers that can hold the craft in a hovering pattern or rotate and perform like a traditional plane the aircraft can use a runway or take off vertically. It boasts a range of up to 100 miles which it can cover in less than an hour of flying. Developed by Bristol-based Vertical Aerospace, the flying taxi took off and landed using Cotswolds Airport's runway after receiving approval form the Civil Aviation Authority. Video footage of the flight showed off the aircraft's impressive capabilities in its first flight outside of strictly controlled test conditions. It comes after the government set a target to make flying taxis a reality by 2028. Vertical Aerospace's VX4 flight marked the first open airspace flight of a flying taxi in Europe. A hover test of the aircraft was carried out in January and rivals have undertaken test flights in the US and Dubai. Vertical Aerospace has received millions of pounds in UK Government funding to develop the aircraft. The company has also received tens of millions of pounds of funding from private investors. Last month the Government announced £20 million of funding for the Civil Aviation Authority to make flying taxis a reality. Further flights of the VX4 are expected later this year with the craft's transition from hovering to cruising using its wings set to be tested. A group of several companies in the UK are currently working on developing flying taxis. 4 4 It is hoped that the zero emissions aircraft will be used to ferry passengers in or between urban areas. The aircraft are designed to be quiet, zero emission modes of transport. A trip from Liverpool to Leeds in a flying taxi could take as little as 26 minutes. Flying car promises to transform into plane in two minutes Flying taxis are able to undertake a whole trip without stopping for traffic and travel much faster than conventional ground based transport. Pilot Simon Davies said: 'Taking the aircraft beyond the airfield and cruising over the Cotswolds for the first time was truly special and a career highlight for me. 'Our performance predictions were absolutely spot on, and the aircraft took off as a natural extension of all the ground tests and preparation we've done.' Earlier this year, Vertical Aerospace received a £70m bailout from Mudrick Capital, a US investment fund. Founder Stephen Fitzpatrick ceded control of the business as part of the rescue plan.
