Vertical Aerospace Nears Full Piloted Transition Flight as Phase 4 Testing Advances

Vertical Aerospace [NYSE: EVTL] expects to complete the final 10% of tilt transition remaining in early 2026. Limited flight-test windows and weather constraints during this fourth phase have understandably delayed the expectation of its completion from the end of 2025 to early 2026.

Expanding the Transition Envelope

Since receiving its Permit to Fly from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on November 13, 2025, Vertical’s full-scale prototype has completed ten transition test flights, successfully expanding most of the aircraft’s transition envelope, the critical speed and tilt ranges required for seamless mode changes between vertical lift and wingborne flight.

These flights have delivered valuable engineering data and achieved several first-of-their-kind test successes, including:

• In-flight deployment and stow of rear propellers
• Spin-up during wingborne flight
• Prop-hold functionality tests

These advancements help validate how the VX4 handles throughout the transition regime, bolstering confidence in the aircraft’s flight-control systems and electric propulsion unit (EPU) software.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)

• Established in 1972
• Main office in Aviation House, Crawley, England
• London office in Westferry Circus, Canary Wharf, London, England
• Role:
  • National aviation regulator for the United Kingdom
• Responsibilities:
  • Ensures aviation safety and security
  • Certifies aircraft, pilots, and operators
  • Oversees airspace management and airworthiness
  • Issues Permits to Fly for experimental and prototype aircraft
• Relevance to eVTOLs:
  • Monitors flight-test programs like Vertical Aerospace’s VX4
  • Grants regulatory approvals and expanded test privileges
  • Works closely with manufacturers to support safe entry into commercial service

Vertical Aerospace completed Phase 3 of flight testing for its VX4 prototype eVTOL aircraft on September 5, 2025. The flights were conducted by experienced pilots Paul Stone and Chief Test Pilot Simon Davies. The first flight of this phase was flown by Vertical’s Test Pilot Paul Stone at 10:11 a.m. GMT on November 13, 2025.

“Our team continues to make excellent progress as we close in on full piloted transition flight. Achieving this level of performance under CAA oversight is a major validation of our engineering approach and a critical milestone as we move toward certification. These results give us real confidence in the aircraft’s capabilities and in the path ahead as we prepare for the next phase of testing in the new year.” – Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace

• Headquartered in Bristol, England 🇬🇧
• NYSE: EVTL
• Established in 2016
• Founded by Stephen Fitzpatrick (Founder of Ovo Energy and former owner of F1 Manor Racing team)
• CEO: Stuart Simpson
• Manufacturer of Valo all-electric eVTOL
• Plans for future hybrid-electric powered eVTOL capable of 1,000 mile range

Vertical Aerospace – Transition Flight Test Animation:

Simon Davies

• Chief Test Pilot at Vertical Aerospace
• Former Royal Air Force pilot (16 years)
  • Fast jet pilot
  • Instructor
  • Examiner
• Cat 1 Test Pilot (USNTPS)
• Trained at United States Naval Test Pilot School
• 3,000 flight hours
• Over 70 types of aircraft
  • aeroplanes
  • helicopters
  • eVTOL aircraft
  • airships
  • gliders
  • drones/remotely-piloted aircraft
• Cambridge University (Corpus Christi College)
  • MEng (Master of Engineering) in Aeronautical Engineering

“Paul Stone and I have had the privilege of flying this machine through it’s wingborne test phase. It’s been incredibly rewarding, with the aircraft performing just like the simulator during our first flights in open air space. With the high-quality data we’ve gathered and the ability to test at both high and low speeds, we are in the best possible place to explore transition with our proven tools and flight test team.” – Simon Davies, Chief Test Pilot (September 2025)

 Paul Stone

• Test Pilot at Vertical Aerospace
• Over 200 aircraft types
• 4,800 flight hours
• Former Royal Navy Pilot (20 years)
  • Sea Harrier pilot
• Empire Test Pilot School
• Former Chief Test Pilot at Volocopter
• BAE Systems
  • Typhoon Future Capability Director
  • Director of Flight Operations
  • Chief Test Pilot for Combat Aircraft
• Former Chief Pilot for the Shuttleworth Collection
• Southampton University
  • BEng (Aeronautical Engineering)
• Lancaster University
  • Distinction (MBA)

“I have been passionate about testing cutting-edge aircraft throughout my career, and Vertical is at the leading edge of electric aviation. With the VX4’s progress and the team’s world-class expertise, I’m excited to be part of the journey to certify and commercialise the VX4.” – Paul Stone, Vertical Aerospace Test Pilot (March 2025)

In September 2025, Vertical Aerospace CEO, Stuart Simpson stated:

“Completing wingborne flight is a historic milestone for Vertical and the VX4. Each phase strengthens confidence among regulators, partners, and investors that our aircraft will meet the highest standards of safety and performance. Now we enter the most exciting stage: transition testing, demonstrating the mode the VX4 will use in passenger service.” – Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace

VX4 Transition Testing

• 10 piloted transition flights completed
• ~90% of the tilt transition envelope expanded
• 0 safety-related test interruptions reported
• Early 2026 target for full piloted transition
• 1,500+ pre-orders globally

Flight Phase Progress

Phase 1: > Tethered flight:

• A stabilized hover flown by the VX4 prototype, while simultaneously being loosely tethered to the ground.
• Mission Completed: September 12th, 2024. ✅

Phase 2: > Thrustborne flight:

• A vertical take-off and landing of the VX4 prototype, using the lift generated by its propellers to perform low speed flight manoeuvres.
• Mission Completed: February 4th, 2025. ✅

Phase 3: > Wingborne flight:

• A conventional take-off, wingborne flight and landing (CTOL) of the VX4 prototype.
• Mission Completed: September 5th, 2025. ✅

Phase 4: > Transition flight:

• The VX4 prototype is currently engaged in a spectacular transition between vertical/thrustborne and horizontal/wingborne flight, and vice versa. Testing with acceleration and deceleration through a large variety of tilts and speed are being conducted during this phase.
• Status: 10 flights have been completed with 10% remaining. Mission is projected to be accomplished by early 2026! ⏱️🗓️

Full Wingborne Flight test (Phase 3 testing):

Final Stretch Toward Full Transition

With approximately 90% of the tilt transition envelope now complete, Vertical Aerospace anticipates achieving full piloted transition in early 2026. This projection accounts for structured flight-test progression, weather limitations, and available flight windows at the company’s UK test facility.

Introducing Valo

Although the flight-test program uses the VX4 prototype, Vertical Aerospace’s long-term commercial focus is on Valo, a production-intended eVTOL designed with certification and real world operations in mind. Valo aims to refine and scale what VX4 has proven in testing, with features aimed at global air mobility operations and manufacturability for commercial service.

Valo’s development leverages real flight data from VX4 and partnerships across aerospace suppliers. Its design target is airliner-level safety certification by 2028 with a range and passenger configuration tuned for urban routes.

Introducing Valo – Vertical Aerospace

Valo

• 100 mile range
• 150 mph top speed
• Up to 6 passengers
• Airliner-level safety certification in 2028
  • Airliner-level safety standards (UK/EU 10-⁹; CAA/EASA, SC-VTOL Category Enhanced)
• Quiet performance (<50 dBA in cruise)
• Room for six cabin bags and six checked bags
• 550 kg / 1,200 lbs total payload

What’s Next?

It won’t be long before Vertical Aerospace’s first full-size prototype completes its Phase 4 testing by successfully flying and transitioning between vertical and horizontal (wing-borne) flight. When that milestone is reached, eVTOL buzz will be ready to cover this groundbreaking moment and deliver in-depth analysis of everything surrounding this major accomplishment by Vertical Aerospace.✈️

Vertical Aerospace – No Distant Dream

More Info:

Vertical Aerospace Progresses Towards Full Piloted Transition Flight: click here

Vertical Aerospace Prepares for Final Transition Testing After Successful Wingborne Flights (Sept 9, 2025): click here

Vertical Aerospace Receives Permit to Fly Approval Allowing Piloted Transition Testing to Proceed: click here

Vertical Aerospace’s official press release regarding Mr. Patrick Ky’s appointment: click here

Vertical Aerospace VX4 eVTOL prototype makes historic first piloted eVTOL wingborne flight in Europe: click here

Vertical Aerospace Delivers a Strong Financial Plan and Key Achievements in 2025 🇬🇧: click here

Vertical Aerospace Strengthens Test Pilot Team With Appointment of Paul Stone (Mar 13, 2025): click here

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