Vertical Aerospace (Vertical) [NYSE: EVTL], a global aerospace and technology company  that is pioneering zero emissions aviation, announced that testing on its most  advanced eVTOL aircraft, unveiled last week, has started with initial powered ground tests,  including propeller balancing, successfully complete.  

Propeller balancing and spinning tests measure weight distribution of each propeller blade  to ensure vibrations are minimised for smooth, stable flying.  

Over the coming days, the company will conduct powered, propulsion system testing of its  most advanced powertrain, which includes proprietary battery packs capable of producing  1.4 MW of peak power and has been designed, and built to certification safety standards at  its multi-million-pound Vertical Energy Centre.  

These next tests involve securely anchoring the aircraft to prevent lift-off and running  the engines at various power levels to measure thrust output, system integration, and  structural integrity. Together, these tests will ensure the VX4 meets the highest standards  of operational safety which are needed for piloted flights. 

The company will then move onto its “wheels up” phase with tethered flight tests before  progressing to low-speed untethered flights, once it has been issued its Permit to Fly from  the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).  

David King, Chief Engineer, Vertical Aerospace, said:  

“These tests are a crucial step forward in our mission to certify the VX4 and make a cleaner,  quieter, and safer way of air mobility a reality. 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. We continue to work alongside our regulator to develop the safest and most  advanced eVTOL aircraft in the world.” 

As the aerospace world meets in Farnborough this week, we could not be prouder of the  team and look forward to sharing more on our progress towards piloted flights.” 

This next-generation VX4 is more powerful than the previous full-scale prototype, with an  impressive 20% increase in the power to weight ratio, enabling the aircraft to reach speeds  of up to 150mph – the certification aircraft’s intended cruise speed. 

The aircraft has been designed and built alongside global aerospace partners, including  GKN Aerospace, Honeywell, Hanwha, Molicel, Leonardo and Syensqo. It features Vertical’s  next generation propellers and new proprietary battery technology, designed and  manufactured at its multi-million pound state-of-the-art Vertical Energy Centre near  Bristol, the UK’s most advanced aerospace battery facility. 

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