Vertical Aerospace’s latest full-scale VX4 prototype has completed its first piloted flight at the company’s Flight Test Centre in the UK. The aircraft was flown by Vertical Test Pilot Paul Stone at 8:49 BST on 5 June 2026.
The company said the sortie was the first step in an expanded flight test campaign for the new prototype. Vertical also said the flight followed receipt of a new Permit to Fly from the UK Civil Aviation Authority, issued after validation and ground testing.
The existing prototype remains active and is continuing transition flight testing alongside the new aircraft. Vertical did not disclose performance data from the flight, test objectives or a revised certification timetable, but said the new permit will support more flight activity as the VX4 programme moves deeper into its test and certification phase.