Vertical Aerospace’s Air Taxi Took Off With A Pilot On Board For The First Time
Credit: Vertical Aerospace
British company Vertical Aerospace announced the start of test flights of its second model of an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. The five-seat aircraft performed its first manned flight. Based on the test results, final design modifications will be made to the aircraft before final design approval for the pre-production model and preparation for mass production.
This is the third full-scale prototype of the so-called eVTOL—an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. The flight took place on June 5, 2026, with the electric aircraft taking off at 8:49 a.m. local time from an airfield in Gloucestershire.
This launch reportedly marks a doubling of the company’s flight test capacity ahead of the Critical Design Review (CDR). Flight clearance was granted by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Test pilot Paul Stone flew the aircraft.
The new aircraft shares the same design as the previous prototypes, which have already successfully completed all testing stages, including powered flights, wingtip flights, and a two-stage transition. After completing a similar program for the third prototype, the company plans to convert it to a hybrid-electric version. This modification is aimed at increasing range and payload for defense, logistics and commercial aviation needs.
It’s worth noting that Vertical Aerospace’s electric aircraft are among the most anticipated in the low-altitude aviation market. Vertical Aerospace has approximately 1,500 pre-orders from customers on four continents, including American Airlines, Avolon, Bristow, GOL, and Japan Airlines.
