Vertical Aerospace secured a Permit to Fly from the UK Civil Aviation Authority on 13 November 2025, clearing the company to begin Phase 4 of its VX4 eVTOL transition test program.
Phase 4 is the final stage of the prototype flight‑test program and is designed to prove the aircraft can shift seamlessly between hover and airplane mode—a core requirement for the SC‑VTOL certification the company targets for 2028.
The first flight of Phase 4 was flown by test pilot Paul Stone at 10:11 am GMT on the same day, marking a key regulatory milestone that validates the tilt‑rotor control system and demonstrates the transition logic that regulators will scrutinize.
Vertical Aerospace submitted more than 20,000 pages of safety and technical documentation to the CAA, and the authority is coordinating with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency to ensure alignment with EASA’s emerging eVTOL framework. The collaboration underscores the company’s commitment to meeting both UK and EU certification pathways.
While the milestone is a technical and regulatory win, the company remains in a development phase with zero revenue and a projected cash burn of approximately £175 million over the next 12 months. The firm holds about £89 million in cash, expected to fund operations into mid‑2026, and has secured roughly 1,500 pre‑orders for the VX4, providing a potential revenue base once certification is achieved.
Market reaction to the announcement was muted, reflecting investor caution around the company’s high cash burn and lack of revenue, despite the positive regulatory progress. Analysts noted that the Permit to Fly is a necessary step toward the 2028 certification target but emphasized the need for continued funding to sustain development.
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