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.

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Charles Alcock

Vertical Aerospace is pressing ahead with its financially lean approach to bringing its Valo eVTOL aircraft to market, having confirmed this week that it has sufficient cash to support work through the third quarter of 2027. Reporting half-year results on Thursday, the UK start-up said it expects to spend another $150 million over the next 12 months and, with new capital pending from investment commitments, it expects soon to have $148 million available.
On August 10, Vertical announced provisional agreements covering new investments totaling around $100 million. The group’s existing main backer, Mudrick Capital Management, pledged a further $40 million in backing, including a recently closed $5 million draw under the company’s existing $50 million convertible note facility, and a further $35 million draw that has been made available earlier than planned.
A group of existing and new investors is contributing another $25 million through a share offering. Yorkville Advisors Global, which provides Vertical’s preferred equity facility, has released $25 million in funding, with approximately another $700 million available for further funding based on program milestones being met.
Vertical CEO Stuart Simpson told analysts that the company expects to complete the critical design review for the all-electric six-passenger Valo aircraft in the fourth quarter of this year. He said this milestone, which will confirm key performance factors such as payload and range, will give greater scope to discuss down payment with prospective customers as it continues to work toward the adjusted target for EASA and UK type certification in 2029.
<h2>Real-world Flights</h2>
According to Simpson, the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2026-07-17/vertical-makes-evtol-flight-debut-farnborough-show">full-transition demonstration flights</a> conducted at the Farnborough International Airshow last month showed progress made in proving the Valo’s preparedness for real-world operations. Vertical now has two full-scale prototypes flying and, in the third quarter of 2027, will have a third airframe built that can be used to test the planned hybrid-electric version of the aircraft.
During the Farnborough show, Vertical announced new partnerships with Near Earth Autonomy to increase autonomous flight capability and with Honeywell Aerospace to prove airspace integration processes. As part of Europe’s <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2026-08-06/verti-go-initiative-lead-european-airspace-update">Verti-Go program</a> led by Honeywell, a Valo prototype will be used for flight trials connecting Malaga and Marbella in Spain.
Vertical is now in talks with the UK government in the hope of securing £10 million ($13 million) in funding to support work to expand production capability, including its battery manufacturing facility at its Bristol headquarters. The UK’s Ministry of Defence has shown interest in possible applications for the hybrid-electric version of the aircraft, which is based on the standard Valo airframe.
Under the Eclipse program, which also has UK government support, Vertical is working with the University of Bath and InnCat to improve battery charging technology. The company intends to market its vehicle-agnostic chargers for use with other aircraft and vehicles.

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