Technology & Innovation
Vertical Aerospace advances VX4 flight testing targeting 2028 certification
Vertical Aerospace’s VX4 eVTOL nears transition flight testing as it targets certification in 2028 with focus on safety and innovation.
Vertical Aerospace Gears Up for Critical Flight Phase, Targeting 2028 Certification
The Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) sector is watching closely as Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL) prepares to enter a pivotal stage of its VX4 aircraft’s development. The UK-based firm announced in its third-quarter update on November 4, 2025, that it is on the cusp of beginning transition flight testing, a critical step toward certifying its electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. This phase will test the VX4’s ability to shift from vertical, helicopter-like flight to conventional, wing-borne flight, a fundamental capability for eVTOL designs. The successful completion of this phase is a significant milestone on the path to commercial operations.
Vertical’s progress underscores a broader industry trend of moving from design and prototyping to the rigorous, multi-year process of Certification. The company’s target for certifying its all-electric VX4 is now set for 2028, a timeline that reflects the complexities of meeting stringent aviation safety standards. This journey is not just a technical challenge but also a significant financial undertaking. Vertical has emphasized its commitment to financial discipline, maintaining its 2025 net operating cash outflow guidance of $110–$125 million. This focus on capital efficiency is crucial in a competitive landscape where numerous companies are vying to bring eVTOLs to market.
The company’s strategy is built on a foundation of deep collaboration with regulatory bodies. Vertical’s engineering and test teams have been working closely with the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), having already satisfied 200 of the CAA’s Minimum Safe Aircraft requirements. This proactive engagement, combined with strategic additions to its leadership, signals a clear focus on navigating the complex regulatory pathway that lies ahead. The recent appointment of the former head of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to its board further solidifies this commitment.
The Path to Certification and Flight Testing Momentum
The upcoming transition flight tests represent the culmination of extensive preparation. Vertical Aerospace has stated that this crucial phase could begin “as soon as this week,” with the ultimate goal of achieving full transition flights before the end of 2025. This is the moment where the aircraft’s innovative design is proven in the air, demonstrating its seamless shift from vertical lift, powered by its four tilting front rotors, to forward flight, propelled by its four rear rotors and supported by its wings. It’s a make-or-break step that validates the core principles of the VX4’s design.
Looking beyond the immediate milestones, Vertical is also planning for the future of its platform. Testing for a hybrid-electric variant of the VX4 is scheduled for 2026. This parallel development track indicates a pragmatic approach, acknowledging the current limitations of battery technology and the market’s need for aircraft with greater range and mission flexibility. The hybrid model is intended to broaden the VX4’s operational capabilities, potentially opening up new routes and use cases that are beyond the reach of purely electric aircraft today.
The certification timeline of 2028 is an ambitious but structured goal. The process is methodical, with key stages like the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) already completed for 75% of the aircraft’s components. The next major step is the Critical Design Review (CDR), expected in mid-2026, which will lock in the final design and supply chain. This structured approach, working in lockstep with regulators, is essential for ensuring the VX4 meets the highest safety standards required for commercial passenger service.
The appointment of Patrick Ky, former Executive Director of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), to the Board of Directors brings a wealth of regulatory and certification experience, reinforcing the company’s focus on navigating the complex path to market.
Aircraft Design and Strategic Business Planning
Alongside its testing progress, Vertical has offered a first look at the VX4’s cabin design, which it claims will be the largest in its class. The design emphasizes space and flexibility, featuring a standard four-passenger layout with a unique option for a six-seat configuration. The inclusion of an observer seat next to the pilot and a dedicated cargo hold capable of carrying both cabin and check-in sized bags highlights a focus on practical, real-world applications. With a target payload capacity of 550kg (over 1,200 lbs), the VX4 is being positioned as a versatile aircraft for urban and regional air mobility.
The company’s Manufacturing strategy is equally deliberate, based on a modular, kit-assembly model. This approach is designed for scalability and efficiency. Initial low-rate production will take place at an expanded facility at Cotswold Airport, which is expected to produce more than 25 VX4 aircraft annually. This measured ramp-up allows Vertical to refine its production processes while moving through the final stages of certification, ensuring that it is ready to meet market demand once the aircraft is approved for service.
From a business perspective, Vertical maintains a strong, albeit conditional, Orders book of approximately 1,500 pre-orders from major Airlines and operators like American Airlines and Japan Airlines. It is important to note that these pre-orders are not legally binding and can be terminated without penalty, a common practice in the nascent eVTOL industry. The company’s financial strategy remains focused on prudent cash management, as detailed during its Capital Markets Day on September 17, 2025, where it outlined the anticipated capital required to reach certification in 2028.
Conclusion: A Disciplined Approach to an Ambitious Goal
Vertical Aerospace’s third-quarter update paints a picture of a company making steady, calculated progress toward its goal of pioneering electric aviation. The imminent start of transition flight testing is a critical validation point for its VX4 aircraft, while the clear roadmap toward a 2028 certification provides a tangible, albeit challenging, target. The company’s dual focus on both all-electric and hybrid-electric variants demonstrates a strategic foresight, preparing for a market that will demand both zero-emission performance and extended operational range.
The journey ahead is long and capital-intensive, and the entire AAM sector faces significant hurdles in terms of regulation, public acceptance, and infrastructure development. However, Vertical’s disciplined financial management, strong regulatory engagement, and focus on a practical, high-capacity aircraft design position it as a serious contender in this transformative industry. As the VX4 takes to the skies for its transition flights, it carries not just the ambitions of a single company, but a significant part of the broader vision for a new era of aviation.
FAQ
Question: What is the VX4?
Answer: The VX4 is a piloted, zero-operating-emissions, electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft being developed by Vertical Aerospace. It is designed to carry a pilot and four to six passengers.
Question: When does Vertical Aerospace expect to certify the VX4?
Answer: The company is targeting certification for the all-electric VX4 aircraft in 2028.
Question: What is “transition flight testing”?
Answer: It is a critical flight phase for an eVTOL aircraft where it demonstrates its ability to shift from vertical, lift-based flight (like a helicopter) to horizontal, wing-borne flight (like a conventional airplane).
Question: Does Vertical Aerospace have any orders for the VX4?
Answer: As of November 4, 2025, the company reports approximately 1,500 pre-orders for the VX4. However, these pre-orders are not legally binding.
Sources
Photo Credit: Vertical Aerospace
Technology & Innovation
GE Aerospace Completes First Hybrid-Electric Flight Above 30,000 Feet
GE Aerospace, NASA, BETA Technologies, and Boeing achieve world’s first hybrid-electric flight above 30,000 feet on a Saab 340B testbed.
GE Aerospace, in collaboration with NASA, BETA Technologies, and Boeing, has successfully completed the world’s first flight of a hybrid-electric aircraft above 30,000 feet.
The milestone, announced in a July 20 press release during the Farnborough International Airshow, utilized a modified Saab 340B testbed to demonstrate the viability of megawatt-class hybrid propulsion at altitudes typical for commercial regional aviation.
Engineering the hybrid-electric testbed
The testbed aircraft, a Saab 340B that standardly seats 30 to 36 passengers, features a unique asymmetrical propulsion setup. The left wing retains a standard GE CT7 turboprop engine. The right wing houses a fully integrated megawatt-class, multi-kilovolt hybrid-electric propulsion system.
Multiple aerospace manufacturers collaborated to integrate the experimental hardware onto the regional airframe. Boeing subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences supplied the modified, inverted nacelle required to house the hybrid system, while BAE Systems provided the battery architecture.
BETA Technologies Founder and CEO Kyle Clark highlighted the dual benefits of the configuration in a statement provided by GE Aerospace.
This hybrid electric system improved the high-altitude performance and climb capability while creating a flying laboratory to inform all future hybrid designs.
Flight testing and transatlantic journey
The aircraft completed its initial flight in the hybrid-electric configuration on May 3, 2026. The high-altitude milestone occurred shortly after on May 20, 2026, when the aircraft exceeded 30,000 feet. During the testing phase, the longest single flight in hybrid-electric operation lasted more than two hours.
Following domestic testing in the United States, BETA Technologies pilots ferried the aircraft across the Atlantic Ocean for its public debut at Farnborough. The transatlantic journey included stops in Newfoundland, Greenland, Iceland, and Scotland. During each leg, the hybrid system was engaged to provide electric assist during climbs and to recharge the batteries using a generate mode.
GE Aerospace Chairman and CEO H. Lawrence Culp, Jr. described the achievement as a historic moment for the aviation industry, noting the partnership’s goal to accelerate hybrid-electric technology to meet customer demands for efficiency, durability, and range.
NASA partnership and future implications
The development of the megawatt-class powertrain stems from a 2021 contract awarded to GE Aerospace under the NASA Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project. The contract, valued at $179 million, funded the design, build, and flight testing of the hybrid system.
AirPro News analysis
We view the 30,000-foot milestone as a critical validation point for hybrid-electric architectures in regional commercial aviation. While fully electric propulsion remains constrained by battery energy density limitations for passenger aircraft, hybrid systems offer a pragmatic transitional step. By utilizing electric assist during high-thrust phases like takeoff and climb, operators can significantly reduce fuel burn and emissions without sacrificing the range and payload capabilities required for profitable regional routes. The successful transatlantic ferry flight demonstrates the operational robustness of the system outside a highly controlled local test environment.
Sources: GE Aerospace
Photo Credit: GE Aerospace
Technology & Innovation
Airbus A380 Flight Lab Unveiled for CFM RISE Open Fan Testing
Airbus and CFM International unveil A380 flight lab livery at Farnborough 2026 for CFM RISE Open Fan engine tests.
Airbus SE and CFM International unveiled the livery for the Airbus A380 flight lab dedicated to testing the CFM RISE (Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines) Open Fan engine architecture at the Farnborough International Airshow on July 21, 2026.
The presentation coincides with the completion of the first conceptual flight test design review. The joint program between Airbus and CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines, aims to reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by 20 percent compared to current commercial engines.
Transitioning to flight test preparation
The designated testbed aircraft, an Airbus A380 identified as Manufacturer Serial Number (MSN) 114, departed a six-year desert storage in France on July 16, 2026. The aircraft relocated to Shannon, Ireland, to undergo painting and structural modifications. Engineers will eventually mount the open fan engine in the number 2 position on the inboard left wing for the Test-Flights campaign.
CFM International recently completed the preliminary design review for the compact core system, open fan, and outlet guide vanes. Arjan Hegeman, Vice President of Future of Flight Engineering at GE Aerospace, stated that this milestone allows the Manufacturing of parts for the grounded demonstrator to begin.
Prioritizing engine durability
While the open fan design removes the traditional engine casing to accommodate a larger fan and reduce drag, program leaders are placing equal emphasis on component longevity. GE Aerospace has completed over 350 tests and 3,000 endurance cycles on core components, which includes early dust ingestion testing.
“If there’s anything we’ve learned over the last years, it’s that durability matters as much as, if not more than, fuel efficiency,” Hegeman said.
Hegeman noted that the engineering teams are aiming to reach technology readiness level six by the turn of the decade.
AirPro News analysis
The explicit focus on durability during the early testing phases of the CFM RISE program reflects a broader industry shift. Current-generation narrowbody engines have faced well-documented time-on-wing and maintenance challenges, prompting Manufacturers to prioritize robust operating characteristics alongside fuel efficiency gains. By subjecting core components to 3,000 endurance cycles and dust ingestion tests years before the first flight, CFM International is working to ensure the open fan architecture can withstand harsh operational environments from entry into service. We expect this dual mandate of efficiency and reliability to define the Certification pathway for next-generation Propulsion systems.
Sources: GE Aerospace Press Release
Photo Credit: GE Aerospace
Technology & Innovation
Joby Aviation and Toyota Form eVTOL Manufacturing Joint Venture
Joby Aviation and Toyota establish a joint venture to manufacture the S4 eVTOL, with Toyota holding a 51% stake.
Joby Aviation, Inc. (JOBY) and Toyota Motor Corporation (TM) have formalized their nearly decade-long partnership by establishing a joint venture to manufacture electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The new entity, named the Joby Toyota Aero Manufacturing Preparation Company, will focus on scaling commercial production of the Joby S4 Series eVTOL aircraft.
Announced in a press release on June 30, 2026, following a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) 8-K filing on June 29, 2026, the alliance combines Joby’s electric aviation technology with Toyota’s established production systems expertise. The joint venture will operate across locations in Santa Cruz, California, and Toyota City, Japan.
Joint venture structure and financial stakes
Toyota holds a 51 percent majority stake in the new manufacturing company, acquired through the purchase of 1.02 million shares for $1.02 million. Joby retains the remaining 49 percent stake, having purchased 980,000 shares for $980,000. The joint venture will be governed by a five-member board of directors, with three members designated by Toyota and two designated by Joby.
The agreement includes specific intellectual property licensing arrangements between the two parent companies. Joby will license certain aircraft-related intellectual property to the joint venture on a royalty-free basis. In return, Toyota will license manufacturing-related intellectual property to the venture, which includes certain royalty-bearing rights.
Scaling eVTOL production
The formal joint venture builds upon a foundation of significant financial and technical support from the Japanese automaker. Toyota has provided approximately $900 million in total capital to Joby to date. The automaker is already providing technical assistance as Joby establishes a series production line for the S4 eVTOL aircraft at a facility in Ohio.
In the June 30 press release, Joby Aviation founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt highlighted the depth of the corporate relationship.
“Toyota has been by Joby’s side for nearly a decade, providing invaluable guidance and support as we built the foundation for Manufacturing our aircraft. Today’s announcement reflects the strength of our relationship and our shared confidence in the opportunity ahead.”
Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman Akio Toyoda stated that the company views air mobility as a natural extension of its philosophy of providing mobility for all, expanding its focus from the ground into the sky to bring new value to society.
Certification progress and next steps
The manufacturing alliance aligns with Joby’s ongoing Certification efforts with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). During the first quarter of 2026, Joby began flying its first FAA-conforming aircraft for type inspection authorization. This testing phase is a required step as the company works toward achieving full FAA type certification for the S4 Series.
With the joint venture now legally established, the two companies will begin integrating their engineering and manufacturing teams across the California and Japan facilities to prepare for high-volume aircraft production.
AirPro News analysis
We view the formalization of the Joby Toyota Aero Manufacturing Preparation Company as a critical de-risking event for Joby’s production ambitions. While designing and certifying an eVTOL aircraft presents significant regulatory hurdles, manufacturing these vehicles at scale with automotive-style efficiency is an entirely different challenge that has historically troubled aerospace Startups. By securing a majority-stake commitment from Toyota, Joby gains direct access to one of the world’s most proven manufacturing systems. Furthermore, the intellectual property arrangement, where Toyota retains royalty-bearing rights on its manufacturing processes, suggests the automaker sees long-term revenue potential in aerospace production beyond its initial capital Investments.
Photo Credit: Joby Aviation
-
Aircraft Orders & Deliveries1 day agoAerCap Orders 15 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners at Farnborough 2026
-
Aircraft Orders & Deliveries23 hours agoPhilippine Airlines Orders Up to 20 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners
-
Commercial Aviation21 hours agoIndiGo Signs Record 1000 LEAP-1A Engine MoU with CFM
-
Aircraft Orders & Deliveries21 hours agoRiyadh Air Orders 31 A350-1000s and 67 Boeing 787s
-
Aircraft Orders & Deliveries1 day agoSMBC Aviation Capital Orders 100 Boeing 737 MAX at Farnborough