First battery-powered aircraft flight at Cotswold Airport
A major milestone in the transition to a greener future was achieved at a Gloucestershire[1] airport this week when an entirely battery-powered aircraft was able to take off under its own steam. The Vertical Aerospace experimental VX4 vertical takeoff and landing craft (VTOL) was able to generate enough lift to fly using just its onboard battery, Wednesday (July 19).
The electric VTOL took to the air unaided at Cotswold Airport,[2] Kemble, as a big step on the road to becoming a certified aircraft, first hovering, flying horizontally at 45mph, and then landing safely. Bristol-based start-up Vertical ultimately hopes to turn their VX4 into a four-seater flying taxi.
The environmentally friendly[3] aircraft is powered by Vertical's specially-made batteries, which can propel the aircraft faster than many helicopters, reaching speeds of 200mph. With the additional load of four passengers, this would be reduced to 100mph.
Previous tests of the aircraft, while plugged into a power source, were also successful, with this test proving their craft's ability to fly emission-free. Their next step is to fly the vehicle with a pilot onboard, rather than controlling it remotely.
Vertical Aerospace’s Chief Test Pilot Justin Paines said: "The aircraft was remarkably easy to fly, it was rock-solid in stability and provided precise control even in demanding flight conditions such as hovering close to the ground.
"The aircraft leapt into a stable hover at lower rpm than expected, taking advantage of the ground effect cushion. Battery temperatures and state-of-charge remained well within predictions for the duration of flight.”
Vertical Aerospace[5] was created in 2016 by OVO Energy founder Stephen Fitzpatrick, in order to accelerate the world's progress to a decarbonised future with emission-free air travel. They plan to have a version of the VX4 certified and ready to fly as soon as 2026.
The electric aviation manufacturer needs certification to begin filling the more than 1,400 international orders already placed for their bid to make an electric flying taxi. Vertical is one of the few innovators in this space not based in the US or China.
After the breakthrough voyage, Vertical said: "Electric flight is within reach."
References
- ^ Gloucestershire (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
- ^ Cotswold Airport, (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
- ^ environmentally friendly (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
- ^ RIAT display pilot forced into emergency landing after engine failed over France (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
- ^ Vertical Aerospace (t.co)