Vertical Aerospace

The UK company is working to complete initial type certification of the four-passenger vehicle by the end of 2026.

The UK company now expects its four-passenger vehicle to complete concurrent UK and EASA type certification in late 2026.

A letter to shareholders says technical issues relating to the certification process are the main reason for the delay, but the company's first-quarter balance sheet shows depleted cash reserves.

Hanwha Aerospace is joining forces with advanced engineering company Stirling Dynamics to produce a key component of Vertical Aerospace’s four-seat eVTOL air taxi. 

The country's Civil Aviation Authority has also confirmed that it will adopt the Special Condition VTOL means of compliance developed by the European Aviation Safety Agency.

The new Vertical Energy Centre, which Vertical Aerospace says is the UK’s most advanced aerospace battery facility, is in Bristol.

Vertical Aerospace says it has secured a pre-delivery payment from Japanese trading and investment conglomerate Marubeni Corporation for 25 VX4 eVTOL aircraft, making Marubeni Vertical’s first customer in Asia to back its VX4 orders with a down payment. 

An initial tethered takeoff marks the start of extensive flight testing for the four-passenger vehicle, which is expected to enter service with several major international airlines.