Vertical proves full-scale eVTOL transition in piloted flight

A test flight at Cotswold Airport demonstrated vertical take-off and transition to wingborne flight, confirming a key capability required for Valo’s certification and commercial use.

Vertical Aerospace has completed a piloted thrustborne transition with a full-scale eVTOL aircraft, achieving vertical take-off followed by transition into wingborne flight.

The flight, conducted on April 2 2026 at Cotswold Airport by test pilot Paul Stone, demonstrated the aircraft’s ability to transfer lift from propellers to wings under real-world conditions. The aircraft lifted vertically before tilting its forward propellers to accelerate into wingborne flight, with rear propellers stowing prior to a runway landing.

Carried out under oversight from the UK Civil Aviation Authority in collaboration with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, the milestone supports certification of Vertical’s Valo aircraft.

The test completes the first half of the two-way transition sequence, a defining capability for eVTOL operations that enables runway-independent flight between helipads, rooftops and vertiports.

Stuart Simpson, Chief Executive Officer at Vertical Aerospace, says: “This marks a turning point not just for Vertical Aerospace, but for the entire advanced air mobility industry. Achieving piloted thrustborne transition under active regulatory oversight—alongside the recently announced financing package—demonstrates that we have solved the hardest engineering challenges, have the regulatory relationships to complete certification, and now have the financial foundation to see this through to commercial service.”

The programme builds on nearly two years of flight testing across hover, thrustborne and wingborne phases, including operations in open European airspace and flights linked to the Royal International Air Tattoo. Vertical is now expanding the transition envelope, with full two-way transition in progress.

Each test is conducted under a Permit to Fly regime, supported by structural testing, systems validation and simulator work, with evidence submitted to regulators.