Flying taxi firm eyes public demonstrations with completion of new prototype

Vertical Aerospace, an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) start-up, has completed its third and final full-scale prototype aircraft.

The aircraft, which will begin piloted flight testing in January in the UK, will enable the company to double its flight test capacity and support public demonstrations in 2026, and integrates technology from aerospace partners including Honeywell, Molicel and Syensqo. It will be tested in all-electric mode before being retrofitted to a hybrid mode for further tests. 

“As we look ahead to 2026, the addition of our final prototype marks an important step in closing out our prototype flight test programme and maintaining momentum towards commercialisation. Our test pilots are eager to get this aircraft into the air,” says Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace.

The company is working towards certification by the UK Civil Aviation Authority and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, and recently unveiled Valo, its latest model, which it hopes to enter into commercial service following certification in 2028. The company says Valo will be able to fly up to 100 miles at 150mph, with zero operating emissions. 

Vertical Aerospace also plans to launch the UK‘s first electric air taxi network in 2029, with plans to cut journeys from Heathrow to Canary Wharf down to just 12 minutes, and other routes running to Oxford and Cambridge. 

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