Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL) has achieved a pivotal milestone, announcing it has received a Permit to Fly from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). This authorization unlocks the final and most complex stage of flight testing for its VX4 electric prototype: piloted transition.
The approval allows Vertical’s test pilots to begin demonstrating the aircraft’s defining maneuver—seamlessly shifting its rotors to transition from vertical hover, like a helicopter, to efficient, wing-borne forward flight, like an airplane. This “tilting” capability is the core technological challenge for this class of eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft.
Marking the start of this crucial phase, Chief Test Pilot Paul Stone completed the first transition flight on the morning of November 13, 2025. This “Phase 4 – Transition” follows the successful completion of earlier flight tests this year, which validated the VX4’s basic handling and included its first flights in open airspace.
The path to this permit was rigorous. To satisfy the UK CAA, Vertical’s engineering team verified over 200 specific safety requirements. The company submitted more than 20,000 pages of updated technical and safety documentation to secure the approval. The CAA is collaborating closely with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to ensure a concurrent validation process, aiming for certification to the highest commercial safety standards.
“This is a defining moment for Vertical Aerospace and a critical technical unlock for our program,” said CEO Stuart Simpson. “Commencing transition flight testing demonstrates the real-world capability of our unique tiltrotor and reflects the robust, safety-first approach we have taken with our regulators from the start.”
The news comes shortly after the company’s recent business update, where it showcased an animation of the transition maneuver and provided a first look at the spacious and comfortable cabin designed for its production-certified aircraft, signaling its progression from prototype testing to a market-ready vehicle.
