Key insights
- Vertical Aerospace achieved a piloted two-way transition flight for its Valo eVTOL aircraft, a key milestone towards certification. While certification is targeted for 2028, the news signals progress in the advanced air mobility sector, with potential long-term implications for transportation and aerospace, indirectly benefiting companies like American Airlines with pre-orders. The FAA's future certification involvement is also noteworthy.
LONDON & NEW YORK - Vertical Aerospace (NYSE:EVTL) completed a two-way piloted transition flight on Monday, April 14, marking a technical milestone in the development of its Valo electric aircraft, according to a company press release.
Chief Test Pilot Simon Davies transitioned the aircraft from vertical take-off to wingborne cruise and back to vertical landing in a single continuous flight. The company stated it is the second globally to complete a two-way piloted transition flight in a full-scale tiltrotor eVTOL and the first to do so under civil aviation Design Organisation Approval regulatory oversight.
The test was conducted under oversight of the UK Civil Aviation Authority, which is collaborating with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency toward Type Certification of Valo. All flight tests since 2023 have been performed under Vertical’s Design Organisation Approval.
The transition capability enables the aircraft to take off vertically from city-center locations, fly at cruise speed, and land vertically at its destination without requiring a runway. The company cited potential routes including Canary Wharf to Heathrow and JFK to Manhattan.
Vertical is targeting certification of Valo in 2028, with entry into service expected shortly thereafter. The company plans to build seven pre-production aircraft in the UK for compliance and verification testing with the CAA and EASA.
The certification approach is designed to be transferable to other regulators, including the US Federal Aviation Administration, Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency, and the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau. Vertical has approximately 1,500 pre-orders from customers including American Airlines, Avolon, Bristow, GOL, and Japan Airlines.
The company’s flight test program progressed through tethered hover in September 2024, thrustborne flight in February 2025, and wingborne flight in September 2025 before completing transition testing this month.
Vertical is headquartered in Bristol, UK, and partners with aerospace companies including Honeywell, which provided the aircraft’s fly-by-wire system.
In other recent news, Vertical Aerospace announced the completion of a piloted thrustborne transition flight of its electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. This successful test flight took place at Cotswold Airport, where the aircraft transitioned from vertical take-off to wingborne flight before landing conventionally. Additionally, Vertical Aerospace has secured a substantial financing package totaling up to $850 million. This funding, provided through agreements with Mudrick Capital and Yorkville, aims to support the company’s certification milestones through 2027 and beyond.
The financing includes convertible secured notes and preferred stock, ensuring significant monthly and bi-monthly financial support. In light of these developments, Canaccord Genuity reiterated a Buy rating with a $9.50 price target on Vertical Aerospace shares. Cantor Fitzgerald also maintained its Overweight rating and $8.00 price target, following the company’s recent earnings call. Vertical Aerospace’s management has outlined plans to expand its flight envelope through 2026, with piloted flights anticipated at the Farnborough Air Show. These recent developments highlight Vertical Aerospace’s progress in both technological advancements and financial stability.
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