Vertical Aerospace has completed the first piloted thrust-borne flight transition of its full-scale eVTOL demonstrator. The VX4 prototype took off vertically on April 2, 2026, at Cotswold Airport in southwest England, under UK Civil Aviation Authority supervision, then tilted its rotors to horizontal for cruise before landing conventionally on the runway.
This test marks the first half of the two-way transition between vertical and horizontal flight. The aircraft performed as designed, according to David King, Vertical Aerospace chief engineer. The aircraft transitioned smoothly and under full control, proving the core elements of Verticals distributed electric propulsion and tiltrotor technology at full scale in real flight conditions.
A video of the flight shows the rotors tilting while rear rotors provide support. The test adds to recent developments for the British company, which on March 30 announced an $850 million financing package arranged by Mudrick Capital.
The package includes $50 million in immediate equity, $30 million to follow soon, $50 million in convertible secured notes from Mudrick, $250 million in Series A convertible preferred shares, and a $500 million equity line of credit from Yorkville Advisors Global, available through 2027 and beyond toward 2028 type certification for its Valo eVTOL. Longer-term commitments are non-binding and await final agreements in the second half of April 2026.