Britain’s first flying taxi plans to take off for 2023 as it enters secondary testing phase
Britain’s first flying taxi will finally take to the skies next year as it enters the next stage of its testing.
The , which will eventually carry four passengers and a pilot, was unveiled at the Farnborough Airshow over the summer. A prototype model has already performed a series of “tethered hovering” – flying within five feet while remaining tethered to the ground.
Its next step will see the electric plane, made by Vertical, begin a series of tetherless tests at heights of up to 50ft and at speeds of 25mph.
Tethered hover: The VX4, which will eventually carry four passengers and a pilot, was unveiled at the Farnborough Airshow over the summer
Later in the year, the goal is to transition to higher and faster flights, at altitudes between 5,000 feet and 10,000 feet and at speeds of up to 90 mph.
The prototype was primarily built at GKN’s site in Bristol and completed at Vertical’s testing facilities in the Cotswolds.
The goal is to have the VX4 certified in 2025, when full-scale production is expected to begin.
Vertical, based in Bristol, was listed on the New York Stock Exchange last December with a valuation of £1.8 billion, but has since fallen sharply amid a steep decline in tech stocks.
The company is one of many fighting to lead a market that could transform mass transportation.
Electric vehicles are considered a cheaper, quieter and emission-free alternative to helicopters.
