Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Vertical Aerospace has started powered ground testing with its second VX4 eVTOL prototype aircraft in preparations for flight tests that will begin once the UK Civil Aviation Authority has issued the required permit to fly. The UK company announced on Tuesday that completed tests already include propeller balancing and spinning, with testing of the electric powertrain and batteries set to start in the next few days.
For those tests, Vertical will anchor the aircraft to the ground to prevent liftoff and then run the 1.4-megawatt powertrain at various power levels to measure thrust output, system integration, and structural integrity. The propeller balancing and spinning tests measure the&nbsp;weight distribution of each propeller blade to ensure vibrations are minimized for smooth, stable flying.
Next, the Vertical engineering team will start tethered flights with the aircraft hovering just a few feet above the ground before progressing to low-speed untethered flights after the permit to fly has been issued.
Vertical unveiled the latest version of the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-07-18/vertical-reveals-second-evtol-prototype-ahead-flight-testing">VX4 last week</a>, announcing that it will feature a 20% greater power-to-weight ratio than the first prototype and be able to cruise at 130 knots on flights of up to around 87 nm. On the second prototype of the four-passenger aircraft, 60% of the technology and components have come from program partners including GKN Aerospace, Hanwha, Honeywell, Leonardo, Molicel, and Synesqo.
“These tests are a crucial step forward in our mission to certify the VX4 and make a cleaner, quieter, and safer way of making air mobility a reality,” said Vertical’s chief engineer, David King. “Every day we are seeing amazing progress from the team at our Flight Test Centre, each test providing valuable insights to help shape the next.”

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