Vertical Aerospace’s Final Full-Scale Prototype Completes First Piloted Flight

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Key Terms

hybrid-electric technical

A hybrid-electric vehicle combines a conventional fuel engine (like gasoline or diesel) with an electric motor and battery so the two power sources share the job of moving the vehicle; think of a bicycle with both pedals and an electric assist. For investors, hybrids matter because they change fuel costs, maintenance needs, regulatory compliance and consumer demand patterns, which affect automakers’ sales, profit margins and supply chains.

transition flight technical

A transition flight is an operational flight used during a changeover—such as moving a route to a new aircraft, qualifying pilots on a different airplane model, delivering an aircraft from manufacturer to airline, or trialing a new fuel or system. Investors watch these flights like a test drive: they reveal whether a company can safely and efficiently implement changes that affect costs, schedules, regulatory approvals and future revenue, so successful transition flights reduce execution risk and uncertain expenses.

Critical Design Review technical

A critical design review (CDR) is a formal, high‑level assessment where engineers and independent reviewers confirm a product or system’s detailed plans meet required performance, safety and regulatory needs before committing to full-scale production or implementation. For investors it signals reduced technical and schedule risk—like approving a final blueprint before construction—so passing a CDR often increases confidence in a project’s timeline, budget predictability and likelihood of commercial success.

pre-production aircraft technical

Pre-production aircraft are early examples of a new airplane model built after prototypes and before full-scale manufacturing; they are used for final testing, certification, and to validate assembly methods and supplier parts. For investors they act like a dress rehearsal for commercial deliveries: successful pre-production trials reduce the risk of delays and extra costs, while problems can signal schedule slippage, higher expenses and potential impacts on revenue and share value.

flight test programme technical

A flight test programme is a planned series of real-world trials where an aircraft or airborne system is flown to check performance, safety and compliance with rules before it goes into full production or service. Think of it as repeatedly test-driving a prototype under different conditions to uncover problems and prove it works; results affect how soon the product can be sold, the cost to finish it, and the timing and size of potential revenue for investors.

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06/09/2026 - 06:00 AM

Full-scale prototype to accelerate flight testing, support piloted demonstrations and advance Vertical's hybrid-electric aircraft programme
Latest prototype will progress through all phases of piloted flight testing, including thrustborne, wingborne and transition flight
Final prototype before Critical Design Review (CDR), which will establish the certifiable aircraft design and pave the way for assembly of Vertical's first pre-production aircraft

LONDON & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Vertical Aerospace (“Vertical” or “Company”) (NYSE: EVTL), a global aerospace and technology company that is pioneering electric aviation, today announced that its latest full-scale prototype aircraft has completed its maiden piloted flight at the Company's Flight Test Centre in the UK, marking the start of an expanded flight test campaign.

Vertical Test Pilot Paul Stone conducted the latest prototype's maiden flight at 8:49 BST on 5 June 2026.

The flight follows the issuance of a new Permit to Fly from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) after extensive ground testing and aircraft validation activities. Vertical Test Pilot Paul Stone conducted the flight at 8:49 BST on 5 June 2026. Meanwhile, the Company's existing prototype continues transition flight testing, having completed multiple piloted transition flights.

The new prototype is the final aircraft to join Vertical's flight test fleet before the Company completes Critical Design Review (CDR), a major programme milestone that establishes the design baseline for certification. Following CDR, Vertical will begin preparations for assembly of its first pre-production aircraft as it continues toward certification and commercial service.

Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, said: “Getting our latest prototype into flight testing is an important milestone because it allows us to learn faster in real world conditions and keep building momentum towards certification. Expanding the flight test fleet will help us validate the aircraft more quickly, reduce risk, and move more efficiently towards bringing Valo into service.”

This aircraft doubles the Company’s flight testing capacity and supports additional public demonstrations this year. Following the completion of all flight test phases - thrustborne, wingborne and transition flight - in its all-electric configuration, Vertical intends to retrofit this prototype for hybrid-electric flight testing. The hybrid-electric variant is expected to support applications demanding greater range and payload capability across defense, logistics, and wider commercial sectors.

The prototype shares the same configuration as Vertical's current full-scale aircraft, which has already completed all flight test phases. Vertical's flight test programme is built around full-scale, piloted prototype aircraft with architecture, systems and flight characteristics closely aligned to the production-standard Valo aircraft, enabling the Company to validate the technologies, systems integration and flight models that will support certification.

About Vertical Aerospace

Vertical Aerospace is a global aerospace and technology company pioneering electric aviation. Vertical is creating a safer, cleaner, and quieter way to travel. Valo is a piloted, four-passenger, Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, with zero operating emissions. Vertical is also developing a hybrid-electric variant, offering increased range and mission flexibility to meet the evolving needs of the advanced air mobility market.

Vertical combines partnerships with leading aerospace companies, including Honeywell, Syensqo and Aciturri, with its own proprietary battery and propeller technology to develop the world’s most advanced and safest eVTOL.

Vertical has c.1,500 pre-orders of Valo, with customers across four continents, including American Airlines, Avolon, Bristow, GOL and Japan Airlines. Certain customer obligations are expected to be fulfilled via third-party agreements. Headquartered in Bristol, UK, Vertical’s experienced leadership team comes from top-tier aerospace and automotive companies such as Rolls-Royce, Airbus, GM, and Leonardo. Together, they have previously certified and supported over 30 different civil and military aircraft and propulsion systems.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any express or implied statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the building and testing of our prototype aircrafts on timelines projected, completion of the piloted test programme phases, the design and manufacture of the Valo aircraft and the hybrid-electric variant, certification and the commercialization of the Valo aircraft and our ability to achieve regulatory certification of our aircraft product on any particular timeline or at all, progress toward Critical Design Review (CDR); the features and capabilities of the VX4, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, including the , selection of suppliers; our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations; our plans for capital expenditures which could be higher than anticipated; the differential strategy compared to our peer group; the features and capabilities of the Valo aircraft; potential revenue opportunities; expectations surrounding pre-orders and commitments; the assumptions underlying the Company’s Flightpath 2030; as well as statements that include the words “goals,” “targets,” “objectives,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “project,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “may,” “should,” “anticipate,” “will,” “aim,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are not a guarantee of future performance. Actual outcomes may differ materially from the information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including, without limitation, the important factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 24, 2026, as such factors may be updated from time to time in the Company’s other filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and accordingly undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. The Company disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than to the extent required by applicable law.