Overview
- Vertical Aerospace’s full-scale Valo prototype shifted from vertical lift to wingborne flight at Cotswold Airport under U.K. Civil Aviation Authority oversight coordinated with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
- The flight demonstrated full-scale lift transfer to the wings and confirmed the aircraft can perform hover, vertical takeoff, forward flight, and landing.
- Company leaders and the test pilot described the transition as smooth and stable, and the team now plans to demonstrate the return from wingborne flight back to a hover.
- Vertical says the result advances its certification program after nearly two years of regulator-witnessed tests, with the firm seeking concurrent approvals in the U.K. and Europe.
- The progress comes alongside an agreement in principle for up to $850 million to fund certification and early production, while the stock edged to $2.29, short interest rose to 6.39 million shares, and Buy ratings with an average $11.07 target remained in place.