Vertical Aerospace’s Post

If you are in the eVTOL industry, you should check out this webinar that my colleague, Cody Weber, and I recently gave.

Vertical Aerospace has successfully conducted the first tethered piloted flight of its new VX4 prototype aircraft. This significant milestone follows the issuance of a Permit to Fly from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), marking a critical step in the eVTOL developer’s flight testing program. The tethered flight took place on July 25, 2024, at 17:45, with the VX4 “loosely” tethered to the ground. During the flight, the Vertical team measured over 20,000 parameters to verify performance variables such as thrust and handling quality. This flight also distinguished Vertical’s chief test pilot, Justin Paines, as the only pilot to have flown two different eVTOLs. Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, stated, “The first tethered flight of our new VX4 prototype is the result of 14 months of hard work – taking this advanced aircraft from design through development and now into the air. This moment is a testament to the skill and commitment of hundreds of talented colleagues in our business who have made our VX4 aircraft the best eVTOL out there.” Following these initial tethered flights, the VX4 will undergo further flight testing phases upon receiving additional CAA permissions. The next phase will involve thrustborne flight testing, where the aircraft will take off and land vertically and conduct low-speed flight maneuvers with lift generated by the propellers. Subsequent stages will include wingborne flight (CTOL) and the critical test of piloted transition flight, pending CAA approval. Before this flight, the VX4 underwent extensive ground testing, including powered propulsion testing of its advanced powertrain. The latest prototype, revealed earlier this month, boasts a 20% increase in the power-to-weight ratio, enabling the aircraft to reach speeds of up to 150 mph, the intended cruise speed for the certification aircraft. The development of the VX4 has been a collaborative effort with global aerospace partners, including GKN Aerospace, Honeywell, Hanwha Group, Molicel, Leonardo, and Syensqo. Read the full update on our blog. #AvfoilNews #VerticalAerospace #VX4 #eVTOL #AerospaceInnovation #Aviation #FlightTesting #UKCAA #GKNAerospace #Honeywell #Hanwha #Molicel #Leonardo #Syensqo #AdvancedAircraft #AviationNews #ElectricAviation #FutureTech

A significant comment in this article regards the aircraft power systems, which may be an indicator of the practical use of eVTOL with existing battery technology. Positioning aircraft in-flight is a basic need, it will be interesting to see how this need is addressed in real world operations.   “During hover, eVTOL vehicles will be very power-hungry, so they can’t spend a lot of time doing that over a landing site,” Newman explained. “So we need very intuitive displays so that highly skilled test pilots and 500-hour pilots can come to a full stop over the landing point each and every time because it’s too expensive power-wise to stop the aircraft and adjust position just a few meters above the ground.” https://lnkd.in/gPQHzbTZ

Unfortunately, Vertical Aerospace has opted not to fly its new VX4 prototype at the forthcoming Farnborough air show. While it’s clearly disappointing for Vertical – and, to be honest, I was quite looking forward to seeing the VX4 fly too – it was always going to be a race against time to get the second prototype airborne and flying in a meaningful way before the show rolled around. And dull as it sounds, it’s probably a sensible, pragmatic decision for Vertical to concentrate on flight testing rather than ‘wasting’ almost a fortnight with Farnborough faff. After all, it has more pressing milestones to reach such as certification and unlocking further investment, which flight testing can only expedite. https://lnkd.in/e-zfJ76r

The Next Frontier of Aerospace REDEFINED In pursuit of an efficient fixed wing aircraft capable of VTOL, a redefinition is required, a new type of air vehicle is envisioned. A fixed wing electric vertical and takeoff (eVTOL) aircraft is idealized as the concept aircraft. It is the most efficient eVTOL, an airplane (not an airtaxi, not a flying car) enabling futuristic flying characteristics using current technology. Several innovative ideas, techniques and methods applied systematically and strategically characterize the concept as the most advanced, unique and outside the realm of present classification, a new frontier of the aerospace industry.

Honeywell forecasts consolidation in the eVTOL industry, predicting significant market entry and scale-up challenges until at least 2028. While air taxi services may launch by 2026, meaningful operations aren't expected until two years later. Meanwhile, Honeywell is innovating with ground control stations for uncrewed cargo eVTOLs, potentially enabling same-day deliveries. Regulatory, funding, and infrastructure hurdles remain key challenges for the sector. #eVTOL #AdvancedAirMobility #HoneywellAerospace #UncrewedCargo #AirTaxi #UrbanAirMobility #ElectricAircraft #FlightInnovation #SustainableAviation #AerospaceEngineering https://lnkd.in/dkbkX8gW

The goal was to achieve technological verification of the model in full transition flight, flight control and pneumatic performance. #Xpeng #Aeroht #eVTOL #flyingcar #tiltrotor

I think that the flight control software was developed in #Matlab and #Simulink since KARI (Korea Aerospace Research Institute) engineers have used them for Helicopter control systems design before. "Korea Aerospace Research Institute Adopts Model-Based Design to Develop DO-178C-Compliant Control Law Software" https://lnkd.in/gfFAAp9F Quote: ------- “MathWorks Consulting Services provided an automated environment that enabled our designers to verify control law software in accordance with DO-178C. They also showed us how to configure test harnesses for our models and taught us in detail how to modify the model to resolve problems,” said Youngshin Kang of KARI (Korea Aerospace Research Institute). Read the other KARI user story on MathWorks site in the comments: • "Korea Aerospace Industries Develops Helicopter Active Vibration Control System Software to DO-178C Standards" **********

Vertical Aerospace Poised for Breakthrough: VX4 Prototype Takes Flight - Vertical Aerospace has completed the inaugural tethered hover of its second VX4 prototype, marking significant progress towards its commercial launch in 2026. The next phase includes transitioning to forward flight, a critical milestone that will enable the VX4 to perform full VTOL missions. - The new VX4 prototype represents a major technological leap, incorporating 60% content from strategic partners like Leonardo for fuselage and pylons. The aircraft also features proprietary propellers that enhance noise reduction and performance, showcasing Vertical's commitment to advancing eVTOL technology. #VerticalAerospace #VX4 #eVTOL #UrbanAirMobility #AdvancedAirMobility #AerospaceInnovation #FarnboroughAirshow #AviationFuture #AirMobilityRevolution https://lnkd.in/gicAJqPE