On July 16, 2025, Vertical Aerospace’s VX4, a hybrid-electric air taxi, flew 17 miles from Cotswold Airport to RAF Fairford in England. This marked the first time ever that a full-scale, piloted, winged tilt-rotor eVTOL has flown in public airspace between airports.
Developed by Bristol-based Vertical Aerospace, the VX4 is a four-seat aircraft for civilian and military use. The 17-mile flight at 115mph and 1,800ft was approved by the UK Civil Aviation Authority and shows the VX4 can integrate with standard airport operations. Chief test pilot Simon Davies called it a “big deal” and highlighted the aircraft’s operational capabilities.
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The VX4 was at the Royal International Air Tattoo from July 18-20, 2025, the world’s largest military airshow, with over 200,000 visitors from 25 countries. As the only electric aircraft on display, it stood out among the jets and cargo planes with its quietness and sleek design, showing Vertical’s vision for defence, logistics and passenger transport.
The VX4 is versatile. The all-electric version does 100 miles, perfect for short urban trips, while the hybrid-electric version, to be tested in 2026, will do 1,000 miles. It can carry 1,100kg of payload, passengers or military kit. Low noise and heat signatures make it ideal for stealth operations and it can fly autonomously, remotely or piloted. Partnerships with Honeywell, GKN and Leonardo, along with pre-orders from American and Japan Airlines, show strong industry support.
The Cotswold to Fairford flight shows the VX4 can operate within existing air traffic systems, a key step towards commercial certification in 2028. CEO Stuart Simpson called it a glimpse into sustainable defence aviation, a view shared by Peter Reoch of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises who said it’s part of the future of aviation.
There are challenges, Vertical has limited operating history, needs funding and the path to regulatory approval is complex. Certifying an eVTOL to safety standards is tough but the VX4 has flown and has 1,500 orders so it’s looking good for urban and military air travel.
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