London, UK – July 2025 – In a landmark achievement for advanced air mobility, Vertical Aerospace has successfully completed the world’s first airport-to-airport piloted flight by a full-scale, winged tilt-rotor eVTOL aircraft designed for commercial service. The VX4 prototype flew from Cotswold Airport to RAF Fairford on 16 July 2025, ahead of its public debut at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), the world’s largest military airshow.
This historic 17-mile journey, conducted under UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approval, reached speeds of 115 mph and an altitude of 1,800 feet. It marked the VX4’s first real-world integration into civilian airport operations and the first time the aircraft landed at a public venue.
Simon Davies, Vertical’s Chief Test Pilot, who piloted the flight, noted, “Flying the VX4 from airport to airport is a major milestone, and a powerful demonstration of the real-world capability of the aircraft. To bring it to RIAT, among some of the world’s most advanced military aircraft, is a proud moment—and a powerful signal of the role that a new generation of aircraft will play in defence and special mission operations.”
Electric Aviation Takes Centre Stage at RIAT
As the only electric aircraft on display at RIAT 2025, the VX4’s presence underlines the growing relevance of electric and hybrid-electric technologies in both commercial and military aviation. The aircraft is showcased as part of Vertical’s expanding roadmap that includes a hybrid-electric variant tailored for defence, logistics and special mission applications.
Vertical CEO Stuart Simpson stated, “RIAT is a global stage for the most advanced, mission-ready aerospace technology, and we’re proud to showcase how electric aviation will support the future of defence. Our hybrid-electric roadmap unlocks new capabilities for military operations, and Vertical’s RIAT presence reinforces our commitment to playing a meaningful role in the future of military and special mission aviation.”
Peter Reoch, Head of Air Operations at Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises, welcomed the milestone, saying, “Great to see Vertical Aerospace and their prototype aircraft showing the innovation of aviation. It will be on static display for all three days at this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo and will show visitors the future of sustainable aviation and electric powered flight.”
Hybrid-Electric Variant: Unlocking New Mission Capabilities
The hybrid-electric version of the VX4, currently in development, is poised to offer tenfold range improvements and significant mission flexibility. Key specifications include:
- Range: Up to 1,000 miles
- Payload: Configurable to carry up to 1,100 kg
- Stealth: Low noise and thermal signatures for sensitive operations
- Flexibility: Capable of piloted, remote, or autonomous missions
- Resilience: Built with advanced redundancy and damage tolerance
Flight testing of the hybrid system, developed at the Vertical Energy Centre, is expected to commence in Q2 2026.
Positioned for the Future
With more than 200,000 visitors and over 25 nations represented, RIAT provides Vertical Aerospace a high-impact platform to engage with global defence stakeholders, investors, and aerospace leaders. The VX4’s participation not only underscores Vertical’s technological credibility but also its long-term commitment to shaping the future of sustainable, mission-capable aviation.
SOURCE AND IMAGE: VERTICAL AEROSPACE
