eVTOL Update: The Vertical Aerospace Vx4 And The Features That Set It Apart

Everyone is racing to build the future of urban flight. But this isn’t a race to see who gets off the ground first. The real question is who can land the future safely, reliably, and at scale. In the emerging world of eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft) the difference isn’t just in speed or design, but in strategy. And one company, Vertical Aerospace, is quietly taking an innovative approach.

Headquartered in Bristol, England, Vertical Aerospace’s mission is to make air travel personal, on-demand, and carbon-free. Vertical was founded in 2016 by Stephen Fitzpatrick, who also founded OVO Group, a leading UK-based energy and technology company with a strong focus on sustainability and combating climate change.  While some competitors leaned on flashy marketing and wild designs, Vertical has been quietly building real aircraft with real partners, including Honeywell, Leonardo, Hanwha, and many others. Indeed, their VX4 prototype made its first flight and performed its first tethered takeoffs and landings as early as September of 2022 and has been flying ever since.

With its sleek lines, fixed wings, and whisper-quiet electric engines, the VX4 looks more like a private jet than a flying taxi, and that’s part of its quiet charm.  Many of Vertical’s competitors’ multirotor aircraft have small wings or none at all, using downward-facing propellers or fans to generate the majority of their lift.  The VX4 utilizes eight electric propellers; four of these are tilt-propellers, which, along with its fixed wings, like a traditional aircraft, allow for seamless transitions between vertical take-off/landing and efficient forward flight. Its familiar design isn’t just aesthetic; it’s a strategic choice to build confidence among passengers, pilots, and operators alike.

In a highly regulated and resource-intensive industry like aerospace, working with proven experts isn’t just helpful, it’s critical. From Rolls-Royce, which supplies the electric propulsion systems, to Honeywell, which handles avionics and flight control systems, Vertical is building the VX4 with components already tested and proven in commercial aviation.  Even industry giants like American Airlines and Virgin Atlantic have already placed pre-orders for the VX4. These strategic partnerships are vital; they ensure aerospace-grade reliability, build public and regulatory trust, and demonstrate that the proven leaders of the aerospace industry fully endorse this new era of aviation.