1. Vertical Aerospace begins final phase of VX4 flight testing. 2. The UK CAA approved the Permit to Fly for VX4. 3. Phase 4 tests transition between hover and wingborne flight. 4. Completion of transition testing is projected by end of 2025. 5. Vertical has approximately 1,500 VX4 pre-orders worldwide.
Completion of flight testing phases historically correlates with increased investor confidence and stock pricing. Companies like Aurora Flight Sciences saw significant stock appreciation following similar milestones in their test programs.
The regulatory approval signifies critical progress towards commercialization, vital for the company's growth and investor interest.
The long-term validity stems from regulatory approvals leading to potential commercial viability and market entry of the VX4, similar to the trajectory seen with other drone companies gaining FAA certifications.
Vertical Aerospace (NYSE:EVTL) ("Vertical" or "the Company"), a global aerospace and technology company that is pioneering electric aviation, today announced it has received its Permit to Fly from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and commenced ‘Phase 4 – Transition' flight testing, the final stage of its VX4 prototype flight-test programme.
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Vertical's Test Pilot, Paul Stone, flew the first flight of this phase at 10:11am GMT on 13 November 2025.
This regulatory approval enables Vertical's flight-test team to begin testing the VX4 prototype's defining transition manoeuvre - seamlessly shifting between hover ("helicopter mode") and wingborne flight ("airplane mode").
Vertical's Test Pilot, Paul Stone, flew the first flight of this phase at 10:11am GMT on 13 November 2025.
‘Phase 4 – Transition' represents the final stage of the VX4 prototype flight test programme and follows completion of Phases 1-3, earlier in the year. These confirmed the VX4's exceptional flying qualities and included flying in open airspace for the first time.
To prepare for piloted transition flight, Vertical's engineering and test teams recently completed extensive simulation, ground, and flight testing in collaboration with the UK CAA, verifying all 200 Minimum Safe Aircraft requirements.
In support of our Permit to Fly, more than 20,000 pages of safety and technical information were updated and submitted to the CAA. The CAA is working closely with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on the certification and concurrent validation of the VX4 to the highest global safety standards required for commercial use.
Stuart Simpson, CEO, Vertical Aerospace, said: "Receiving our Permit to Fly and starting Phase 4 marks a defining moment for Vertical Aerospace. Our team has spent months verifying every core system under close regulatory oversight, reflecting our unique and robust approach to certification. Phase 4 is a critical demonstration of the VX4's unique tiltrotor capability and a major technical and certification unlock."
Last week, as part of its Q3 Business & Strategy update call, Vertical shared an animation explaining this critical step of transition and a first look at its new certification aircraft's leading cabin size and comfort.
Notes to Editors
Vertical's piloted flight test programme explainer:
About Vertical Aerospace
Vertical Aerospace is a global aerospace and technology company pioneering electric aviation. Vertical is creating a safer, cleaner, and quieter way to travel. Its VX4 is a piloted, four-passenger, Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, with zero operating emissions. Vertical is also developing a hybrid-electric variant, offering increased range and mission flexibility to meet the evolving needs of the advanced air mobility market.
Vertical combines partnerships with leading aerospace companies, including GKN, Honeywell, and Aciturri, with its own proprietary battery and propeller technology to develop the world's most advanced and safest eVTOL.
Vertical has c.1,500 pre-orders of the VX4, with customers across four continents, including American Airlines, Japan Airlines, GOL, and Bristow. Certain customer obligations are expected to be fulfilled via third-party agreements. Headquartered in Bristol, UK, Vertical's experienced leadership team comes from top-tier aerospace and automotive companies such as Rolls-Royce, Airbus, GM, and Leonardo. Together, they have previously certified and supported over 30 different civil and military aircraft and propulsion systems.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that relate to our current expectations and views of future events. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements as contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Any express or implied statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the design and manufacture of the VX4, the features and capabilities of the VX4 and the hybrid- electric VX4 variant, completion of the piloted test programme phases on the intended timeline or at all, certification and the commercialization of the both the VX4 and the hybrid-electric VX4 variant and our ability to achieve regulatory certification of our aircraft product on any particular timeline or at all, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, including the building and testing of our prototype aircrafts on timelines projected, selection of suppliers, our ability and plans to raise additional capital to fund our operations, the differential strategy compared to our peer group, expectations surrounding pre-orders and commitments, our future results of operations and financial position and expected financial performance and operational performance, liquidity, growth and profitability strategies, the transition towards a net-zero emissions economy, as well as statements that include the words "expect," "intend," "plan," "believe," "project," "forecast," "estimate," "may," "should," "anticipate," "will," "aim," "potential," "continue," "are likely to" and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature. Forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, without limitation, the other important factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 11, 2025, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and accordingly undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. We disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than to the extent required by applicable law.
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For more information:
Justin Bates, Head of Communications justin.bates@vertical-aerospace.com +44 7878 357 463
Samuel Emden, Head of Investor Affairs samuel.emden@vertical-aerospace.com +447816 459 904