Vertical Aerospace completed (16-Apr-2026) a two-way piloted transition flight with its eVTOL aircraft on 14-Apr-2026, involving switching from vertical flight to wingborne cruise and back to a vertical landing. Vertical stated it is "the second company globally to complete a two-way piloted transition flight in a full scale tiltrotor eVTOL and the first to do so under civil aviation Design Organisation Approval regulatory oversight". Vertical is targeting certification of its Valo aircraft in 2028 and entry into service "shortly thereafter". The aircraft is expected to be used on routes such as London Heathrow-Canary Wharf and New York JFK-Manhattan. The company's partners include American Airlines, Avolon, Bristow Group, GOL and Japan Airlines. [more - original PR]
Background ✨
Vertical previously completed its first piloted thrustborne transition at Cotswold Airport on 02-Apr-2026 under UK CAA oversight, with the CAA collaborating with EASA on Valo certification.1 Vertical also disclosed an up to USD850 million financing package, including amended Mudrick Capital notes extending maturity to Dec-2030, to fund certification milestones through 2027 and beyond.2 Eve Air Mobility reached 50 prototype test flights and planned “full transition” tests later in 2026.3