Bristol-based urban air mobility (UAM) startup Vertical Aerospace has delayed the entry into service of its aircraft, the VX4, for the second time due to certification hurdles. The company is now targeting certification from the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority by the end of 2026, two years behind the original schedule. Attempting to predict a date with certainty years in advance is challenging as it depends on agreeing compliance methods with authorities. The eVTOL technology has the potential to revolutionize urban and regional mobility, but new technologies come with new regulatory requirements, especially for fully autonomous aircraft predicted to enter the market in a decade or so. There are consumers eagerly waiting to begin making a dent in net-zero pledges. Vertical Aerospace has a pre-order book of 1,400 aircraft.
Vertical Aerospace is a Bristol-based urban air mobility (UAM) startup that aims to revolutionize urban and regional mobility through eVTOL technology. The firm has already been flying full-scale prototypes for four years, with a pre-order book of 1,400 aircraft from prospective clients such as American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and Avolon.
Stephen Fitzpatrick is the CEO of Vertical Aerospace, an eVTOL maker working on a reusable, zero-emission aircraft that aims to replace medium-haul flights and reduce travel times for urban commuters. With a letter to investors seen by the Financial Times, he acknowledged how predicting a date a few years in advance and agreeing with the authorities could be challenging.
