Vertical Aerospace Progresses Towards Full Piloted Transition Flight

Core Insights - Vertical Aerospace has made significant progress in its piloted transition flight testing phase, achieving key milestones since receiving its Permit to Fly from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on November 13, 2025 [1][2] Flight Testing Progress - The full-scale prototype has completed ten flights since the Permit to Fly was issued, expanding the majority of the transition envelope, including acceleration and deceleration through a wide range of speeds and tilt positions [2] - Full piloted transition is expected in early 2026, with only the final 10% of tilt transition remaining after all test phases to date [2] Data Collection and Achievements - Recent flights are providing valuable data as the team expands the flight envelope and refines the flight-control and EPU software [3] - Several first-time achievements have been completed, including in-flight deployment and stow of the rear propellers, spin-up during wingborne flight, and prop-hold functionality [3] Regulatory Oversight - Vertical is conducting piloted transition testing under full CAA oversight and has recently been granted additional privileges by the regulator to approve Flight Conditions and issue its own Permits to Fly under defined circumstances [4] Leadership Insights - CEO Stuart Simpson highlighted the excellent progress towards full piloted transition flight, emphasizing the validation of the engineering approach and the confidence in the aircraft's capabilities as they prepare for the next phase of testing [5] Company Overview - Vertical Aerospace is a global aerospace and technology company pioneering electric aviation, creating a safer, cleaner, and quieter way to travel with its eVTOL aircraft, Valo, which has zero operating emissions [6] - The company is also developing a hybrid-electric variant to meet the evolving needs of the advanced air mobility market [6] Partnerships and Pre-Orders - Vertical combines partnerships with leading aerospace companies, including Honeywell, Syensqo, and Aciturri, with its proprietary battery and propeller technology [7] - The company has approximately 1,500 pre-orders of Valo from customers across four continents, including major airlines such as American Airlines and Japan Airlines [8]