u/Hot_Raise_8540

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/07/04/ministry-of-defence-plots-flying-taxis-for-battlefield/

These air taxis could be flying over UK cities in just two years

https://news.sky.com/video/share-13559333

"...Meanwhile laboratory and ground-testing was carried out. ATA Engineering – the company that conducted ground vibration testing (GVT) on the US$10bn James Webb Space Telescope – installed eight heavy-duty shakers and 350 accelerometers on a suspended airframe. ATA’s GVT methodology identifies modal characteristics – natural frequencies, mode shapes and damping ratios – to update finite-element models and improve flight-flutter analysis.

Vertical Aerospace also subjected each propeller blade to around seven million fatigue cycles to demonstrate margin over projected service life. The company’s engineers also dropped a complete battery pack from a 50ft (15.2m) height to qualify the pack against rotorcraft fuel-tank crashworthiness standards.

The 50ft drop height aligns with the FAA’s 14 CFR 27.952 and 29.952 rotorcraft fuel-system test, which EASA has adopted as a starting-point Means of Compliance for eVTOL battery systems under SC-VTOL. A full-scale thermal runaway propagation test on a battery sub-pack demonstrated containment of a single-cell failure within its module, with sufficient venting, thermal isolation and structural integrity to allow safe flight and landing. Such work indicates how Vertical is pushing at the limits of the established type-certification basis..."

https://www.aerospacetestinginternational.com/features/can-vertical-aerospace-certify-the-valo-evtol-by-2028.html

Ben Sampson has worked as a journalist and editor, covering technology, engineering and industry for the last 20 years. Initially writing about subjects from nuclear submarines to autonomous cars to future design and manufacturing technologies, he was editor of a leading UK-based engineering magazine before becoming editor of Aerospace Testing in 2017.

Ben has worked as a journalist and editor, covering technology, engineering and industry for the last 20 years. Initially writing about subjects from nuclear submarines to autonomous cars to future design and manufacturing technologies, he was editor of a leading UK-based engineering magazine before becoming editor of Aerospace Testing in 2017.

Vertical Test Pilot Paul Stone conducted the latest prototype's maiden flight at 8:49 BST on 5 June 2026.

June 9, 2026

• Full-scale prototype to accelerate flight testing, support piloted demonstrations and advance Vertical's hybrid-electric aircraft programme
• Latest prototype will progress through all phases of piloted flight testing, including thrustborne, wingborne and transition flight
• Final prototype before Critical Design Review (CDR), which will establish the certifiable aircraft design and pave the way for assembly of Vertical's first pre-production aircraft

LONDON & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Vertical Aerospace (“Vertical” or “Company”) (NYSE: EVTL), a global aerospace and technology company that is pioneering electric aviation, today announced that its latest full-scale prototype aircraft has completed its maiden piloted flight at the Company's Flight Test Centre in the UK, marking the start of an expanded flight test campaign.

The flight follows the issuance of a new Permit to Fly from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) after extensive ground testing and aircraft validation activities. Vertical Test Pilot Paul Stone conducted the flight at 8:49 BST on 5 June 2026. Meanwhile, the Company's existing prototype continues transition flight testing, having completed multiple piloted transition flights.

The new prototype is the final aircraft to join Vertical's flight test fleet before the Company completes Critical Design Review (CDR), a major programme milestone that establishes the design baseline for certification. Following CDR, Vertical will begin preparations for assembly of its first pre-production aircraft as it continues toward certification and commercial service.

Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, said: “Getting our latest prototype into flight testing is an important milestone because it allows us to learn faster in real world conditions and keep building momentum towards certification. Expanding the flight test fleet will help us validate the aircraft more quickly, reduce risk, and move more efficiently towards bringing Valo into service.”

This aircraft doubles the Company’s flight testing capacity and supports additional public demonstrations this year. Following the completion of all flight test phases - thrustborne, wingborne and transition flight - in its all-electric configuration, Vertical intends to retrofit this prototype for hybrid-electric flight testing. The hybrid-electric variant is expected to support applications demanding greater range and payload capability across defense, logistics, and wider commercial sectors.

The prototype shares the same configuration as Vertical's current full-scale aircraft, which has already completed all flight test phases. Vertical's flight test programme is built around full-scale, piloted prototype aircraft with architecture, systems and flight characteristics closely aligned to the production-standard Valo aircraft, enabling the Company to validate the technologies, systems integration and flight models that will support certification.

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. Valo 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 Honeywell, Syensqo 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 Valo, with customers across four continents, including American Airlines, Avolon, Bristow, GOL and Japan Airlines. 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 Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 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 building and testing of our prototype aircrafts on timelines projected, completion of the piloted test programme phases, the design and manufacture of the Valo aircraft and the hybrid-electric variant, certification and the commercialization of the Valo aircraft and our ability to achieve regulatory certification of our aircraft product on any particular timeline or at all, progress toward Critical Design Review (CDR); the features and capabilities of the VX4, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, including the , selection of suppliers; our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations; our plans for capital expenditures which could be higher than anticipated; the differential strategy compared to our peer group; the features and capabilities of the Valo aircraft; potential revenue opportunities; expectations surrounding pre-orders and commitments; the assumptions underlying the Company’s Flightpath 2030; as well as statements that include the words “goals,” “targets,” “objectives,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “project,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “may,” “should,” “anticipate,” “will,” “aim,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are not a guarantee of future performance. Actual outcomes may differ materially from the information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including, without limitation, the important factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 24, 2026, as such factors may be updated from time to time in the Company’s 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. The Company disclaims 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.

Join us next Friday, 29th May, for our AMA with Vertical's Chief Engineer, David King. Do you have any engineering or technical questions regarding the flight test programme, transition dynamics, or flight performance characteristics? Now's your chance to ask them.

We’ll post at 13:00 BST (08:00 EDT / 05:00 PDT) for you to submit your questions which David will answer in real time. ​

See you then.

Ho-Young Lee, Vice President of Hyundai WIA (centre-left), with members of the Hyundai WIA and Vertical Aerospace teams in front of Valo.

May 21, 2026

• Hyundai WIA to supply advanced lightweight landing gear system for Valo aircraft
• Agreement strengthens Vertical’s supplier ecosystem as the Company advances toward certification and scaled production

Vertical Aerospace a global aerospace and technology company that is pioneering electric aviation, today announced a new long-term partnership with Hyundai WIA, a subsidiary of Hyundai Corporation and a leading mobility and manufacturing company, to supply the landing gear system for Valo, Vertical’s electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

Under the agreement, Hyundai WIA will develop and manufacture a bespoke landing gear system for Valo, with end-to-end design and production responsibility. Stirling Dynamics, a UK-based engineering company with more than 30 years’ experience supporting certified aircraft programmes, will support Hyundai WIA as a key design partner.

Hyundai WIA’s lightweight, technically mature landing gear solution, combined with decades of advanced manufacturing and mobility experience, makes the company a strong partner for Vertical’s next-generation aircraft.

The partnership further strengthens Vertical’s supplier ecosystem as the Company advances toward certification and commercialization of Valo.

Vertical has now secured key suppliers across major aircraft systems, including Honeywell (flight control and aircraft management systems), Aciturri (airframe structures), Evolito (electric propulsion units), Syensqo (composite materials), and Isoclima (transparencies). The Hyundai WIA agreement marks another important step in establishing a world-class aerospace supply chain for scaled production.

Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, said: “As we advance toward certification and industrialization, securing world-class suppliers remains central to our strategy. Hyundai WIA brings deep expertise in advanced manufacturing and high-integrity systems, further strengthening the industrial foundation supporting Valo’s path to commercial service.”

Ho-Young Lee, Vice President of Hyundai WIA, said: “We are proud to partner with Vertical Aerospace on the Valo programme and support the development of next-generation electric aviation. We look forward to working closely with Vertical and Stirling Dynamics to deliver a robust, innovative landing gear solution that meets the highest safety standards and performance.”

The announcement follows Vertical’s successful completion of two-way piloted transition flight, a key technical milestone validating the aircraft’s technology and core operating mode.

Vertical is now progressing toward Critical Design Review (CDR), which establishes the certifiable design baseline and enables the build and test of certification-conforming aircraft. Completion of CDR will lock key design elements, supply chain configuration and certification partner selection ahead of full-scale certification testing and commercial production.

About Hyundai WIA

Founded in 1976, HYUNDAI WIA has been developing and producing cutting-edge products in automobile parts, mobility solutions, aerospace and defense industry solutions to become a global leader in the comprehensive machinery mobility industry.

Stirling Dynamics

Stirling Dynamics is an advanced engineering company that provides high-end engineering products and services and is renowned for its specialist landing gear design services to certified platforms and the Advanced Air Mobility sector. With over three decades of experience the company has accumulated a wealth of knowledge on multiple aircraft and marine platforms, delivered to civil and military programmes around the globe.

Taken from a recent filing, I thought it might be of use to those unfamiliar with the company.

Our vision is to transform how the world moves. We are a global aerospace and technology company that is pioneering electric aviation, focused on designing, manufacturing and selling a zero-operating emission eVTOL aircraft for use in the advanced air mobility (“AAM”) market, using cutting edge technology from the aerospace, automotive and energy industries.

Founded in 2016, we draw on deep aerospace and automotive expertise. We designed, built and flew two sub-scale prototype eVTOL aircraft in 2018 and 2019. We are currently developing, and are progressing towards the certification of Valo, our flagship eVTOL. Our first full-scale prototype successfully concluded its remote thrustborne flight test campaign in August 2023.

Our second, more advanced, full-scale prototype commenced flight tests in July 2024, achieving the milestone of piloted thrustborne flight maneuvers in January 2025, wingborne flight in September 2025 and two-way transition in April 2026. In December 2025, we completed the assembly of our third full-scale prototype, identical to the second, and the aircraft will begin flight testing following commissioning. Both our second and third prototypes include much of our strategic partners’ technology that we plan to incorporate into our final certification aircraft. In addition, we also expect to have five flying and two static aircraft, for certification purposes only.

We are targeting Valo to be capable of transporting a pilot and up to six passengers, traveling distances of up to 100 miles, and achieving cruise speeds of 150 mph, while producing minimal noise and zero operating emissions. The aircraft is being designed around existing certifiable technology, as well as certain novel technology such as the batteries and propellers which we are designing and developing in-house. Collectively, our experienced team has previously certified and supported the development of over 30 aircraft and propulsion systems around the world. We are currently one of the only eVTOL designers and original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) actively pursuing certification from the United Kingdom’s Civil Aviation Authority (the “CAA”) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (“EASA”) with a winged vehicle. We aim to have our aircraft certified to safety targets the same as those to which large commercial airliners are subject, based on standards that are multitudes times safer than those applicable to small single-engine helicopters. EASA and the CAA have also agreed how they will collaborate on the certification of Valo, under the technical implementation procedures agreed as part of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. While both regulators have been working closely already, this sets the foundations for their certification experts to apply common standards and work together towards concurrent certification and validation of Valo by both authorities. In 2023, the CAA announced its intention to adopt EASA’s Means of Compliance to SC-VTOL, the standards against which European and UK manufacturers design eVTOLs. In 2025, the CAA announced its eVTOL Delivery Model which sets out a regulatory framework to facilitate commercial eVTOL flights in the UK by the end of 2028. By achieving certification of our eVTOL aircraft from the CAA and EASA, we expect to leverage the work done with our home regulator to have the certification validated by other regulators where we intend to operate, including the United States Federal Aviation Administration (the “FAA”), Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (“ANAC”) and Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (“JCAB”).

In March 2023, the CAA issued us with an eVTOL Design Organisation Approval (“DOA”), the scope of which was expanded in July 2024, enabling our engineers to sign-off compliance of an expanding range of technical areas, including additional aspects of flight control, avionics and electrical systems. By enhancing our capacity to carry out certification activities, we expect to streamline the overall certification process. UK and European aerospace companies cannot hold a type certificate, necessary for entry into service, without being granted a DOA. The DOA authorizes us to conduct design activities and issue design approvals within the DOA’s scope of approval. In 2025, we maintained our DOA after our first 24-month audit.

In May 2025, we announced a complementary hybrid-electric aircraft. This aircraft is intended to extend the payload and range capability of the pure-eVTOL platform to carry up to 1,100 kilograms and travel 1,000+ miles, enabling new potential applications in defense, logistics and commercial sectors including air ambulance services, which require longer range and higher payload than current eVTOL platforms can deliver. This hybrid aircraft maintains the same airframe as the eVTOL.

We are developing a sophisticated eVTOL ecosystem that allows us to focus on providing a high quality experience. Our in-house expertise, together with our industry-leading partners, cover design, certification, assembly and manufacture, pilot experience, end-user experience and base platform performance. We aim to be one of the leading eVTOL aircraft OEMs, selling globally certified aircraft to a variety of customers, including, commercial airlines, aircraft leasing companies, business aviation, tourism groups, mobility platforms and existing helicopter operators as well as new operators in the AAM market, providing both OEM sales and aftermarket services to our customers. We also believe there is a potential market to provide OEM sales to a variety of industries beyond traditional airline and helicopter customers, such as tourism, where there is an opportunity to replace existing transportation options like minibuses, and the cargo and logistics industry, where there is potential to partner with global logistics firms and large retail customers. There is a further opportunity to generate revenue from other sectors such as emergency services, as eVTOL and hybrid-electric aircraft can be used for emergency patient and supplies transport, particularly in densely populated areas or military logistics transport, among other potential uses. We plan to explore the potential development of versions of Valo for such scenarios. Our strategy is to forge partnerships in key markets with partners that have existing demand and are local trusted brands with market specific knowledge. We believe that by partnering with such market players, we can extend their business models and build a market ecosystem that will allow us to expand our proposition over time. Our focus on system integration and establishment of an industrial supply chain is expected to enable rapid scaling of production of our aircraft.

Jeffrey Neal Johnson has been a contributing writer for MarketBeat since 2023.

May 20th 2026

"No investment in a frontier technology is without risk. The leadership team at Vertical Aerospace has been transparent about a three-month slip in its piloted transition timeline, which they note adds additional risk to their end-of-2028 certification target. This level of honesty, while highlighting potential delays, also builds investor trust.

The thesis for Vertical Aerospace is not built on a flawless, linear path to commercialization. It is built on a foundation of demonstrated technological achievement, best-in-class capital efficiency, and a valuation that seems disconnected from its tangible progress. As Vertical Aerospace moves toward its mid-2026 Critical Design Review, investors might consider whether the market has misjudged the flight plan, leaving a compelling opportunity for those focused on the fundamentals."

https://www.marketbeat.com/originals/vertical-aerospace-pre-flight-checks-point-to-a-breakout/

Vertical’s next-generation hybrid-electric propulsion system during testing on its Hybrid Propulsion Evaluation Rig (HYPER) at the Company’s Flight Test Centre

May 19, 2026

• Next-generation hybrid-electric system begins testing ahead of flight tests
• First all-electric Valo battery manufactured on upgraded production line at Vertical Energy Centre

Vertical Aerospace, a global aerospace and technology company pioneering electric aviation, today announced two key programme milestones: the start of integration testing for its next-generation hybrid-electric propulsion system, and the production of the first all-electric Valo battery from its upgraded assembly line.

These milestones represent continued progress across Vertical’s propulsion and energy systems programmes, both of which underpin the Company’s all-electric and future hybrid-electric aircraft roadmap.

Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, said:

“Hybrid capability complements our all-electric Valo platform and unlocks a broader range of civil and defence applications. At the same time, advancing our battery technology and manufacturing capability is critical to certification and scaling production. Together, these milestones demonstrate the strength and breadth of our technology platform.”

Hybrid-electric system enters testing phase

Vertical’s next-generation hybrid-electric propulsion system has begun testing on its dedicated Hybrid Propulsion Evaluation Rig (HYPER) at the Company’s Flight Test Centre at Cotswold Airport, marking a significant milestone after more than two years of development at the Vertical Energy Centre.

The HYPER facility enables full system integration and validation of the hybrid powertrain, including the turbine, generator and associated electrical systems, alongside testing of control architecture, system response and fault scenarios ahead of ground and flight testing.

The Company is working with several partners to integrate a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)-compatible gas turbine with an electric generator, while leading development of system integration, control architecture and software.

This turbogenerator will be integrated into a prototype hybrid-electric Valo aircraft for flight testing and demonstrations, while also supporting the development and validation of technologies for future hybrid variants of the aircraft. These hybrid-electric variants are expected to significantly expand range, payload and operational flexibility. Vertical is targeting certification of its hybrid-electric variant with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

Battery production milestone supports certification and scale-up

Vertical has also reached a key milestone in its proprietary battery programme, with the first battery produced on its upgraded assembly line, launched in March 2026, at the Vertical Energy Centre.

The 15,000 sq ft facility, already responsible for the battery systems used in piloted flight testing since 2024, has been enhanced with automated, aerospace-grade manufacturing processes designed to improve efficiency, consistency and performance, while supporting certification and future production.

The battery prototypes will go into rigorous environmental and operational testing. Battery packs produced on the assembly line will be used to support Vertical’s certification aircraft as it progresses through the final stages of certification with the UK CAA and EASA, as well as providing initial production capacity ahead of entry into service.

Key targeted capabilities of Vertical’s hybrid-electric variant:

• Range: Up to 1,000 miles, a 10-fold increase from its all-electric aircraft.
• Payload: Configurable to carry up to 1,100 kilograms in Valo’s class-leading airframe capacity.
• Stealth advantages: Low noise and heat signatures make the hybrid variant well-suited for sensitive missions.
• Crewed and uncrewed capabilities: Hybrid-electric technology capable of being deployed autonomously, remotely, or with a pilot. Uncrewed capabilities can be seamlessly integrated into the existing Flight Control System being developed by Honeywell.
• Mission resilience: Built off the Valo’s industry-leading redundancy and damage tolerance, boosting confidence for mission-critical operations.

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. Valo 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 Honeywell, Syensqo 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 Valo, with customers across four continents, including American Airlines, Avolon, Bristow, GOL and Japan Airlines. 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.

Transcript of Q1 2026 Update

“Completion of full transition was the end of the beginning, marking the completion of our technology development and demonstration phase, and importantly, the final validation of the core technical elements underpinning the VX4 design.

As we’ve said before, demonstrating eVTOL flight is not the challenge. Demonstrating it to airliner safety standards is.

Through our prototype aircraft, we have now completed that harder step. Our prototype was designed from the outset to replicate the key features of the certification aircraft, and now we have exercised it across its full flight envelope under a broad set of certification-relevant conditions. This milestone unlocks the final phase of VX4 design, building on substantial progress across all major systems and propelling VX4 design toward a critical design review, or CDR, which we are targeting in the middle of this year.

CDR establishes the certifiable design baseline and initiates the build and test of certification-conforming aircraft. It represents the point at which the aircraft’s design is considered sufficiently mature, validated to progress into building aircraft to be used for certification testing. It is one of the most rigorous phases in aerospace development and is underpinned by the analytical methods and validation data generated through the prototype program. Our certification program is not just a technical hurdle, it is a process that requires consistency, transparency, and rigor throughout.

Another key focus of CDR is alignment across the full certification ecosystem, suppliers, customers, and certification authorities. We have worked closely with all stakeholders to ensure the VX4 design incorporates learnings from the prototype technology demonstration program, aligns with market requirements, and meets commercial aviation standards.

CDR is therefore not just a technical milestone, it is where the aircraft design is fully optimized across customer needs, safety requirements, and supply chain readiness. As we’ve highlighted previously, we benefit from working with the UK Civil Aviation Authority, providing clarity on the certification framework and enabling early engagement with certification processes. Through our prototype program, we’ve effectively dry run key certification activities, embedding them into our development approach from an early stage, which then directly feeds into our certification design.

This results in a well-defined and de-risked path to certification, reducing the risk of timing or cost surprises as we progress toward production. The transition flight was a world first for an electric tiltrotor within a design organization approval framework, validating not just the aircraft, but the certification process itself.”

Full Transcript: https://www.investing.com/news/transcripts/earnings-call-transcript-vertical-aerospace-q1-2026-sees-stock-rise-amid-tech-milestones-93CH-4663661

Join us tomorrow at 16:00 GMT (12:00 EDT / 09:00 PDT) where Simon Davies will be answering your questions about everything from flight testing to flying the VX4.

Keep an eye out for our post tomorrow to get involved!

To the skies.

Edit - Hopefully this will be of interest to aviators even if it is on a different sub.

Mods, hope you don't mind posting?