Vertical Aerospace today announced that testing on its most advanced eVTOL aircraft, unveiled last week, has started with initial powered ground tests, including propeller balancing, successfully complete. Propeller balancing and spinning tests measure weight distribution of each propeller blade to ensure vibrations are minimised for smooth, stable flying.
“Over the coming days, the company will conduct powered, propulsion system testing of its most advanced powertrain, which includes proprietary battery packs capable of producing 1.4 MW of peak power and has been designed and built to certification safety standards at its multi-million-pound Vertical Energy Centre,” said the company. “These next tests involve securely anchoring the aircraft to prevent lift-off and running the engines at various power levels to measure thrust output, system integration, and structural integrity. Together, these tests will ensure the VX4 meets the highest standards of operational safety which are needed for piloted flights.
“The company will then move onto its “wheels up” phase with tethered flight tests before progressing to low-speed untethered flights, once it has been issued its Permit to Fly from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).”
David King, Chief Engineer, Vertical, said: “These tests are a crucial step forward in our mission to certify the VX4 and make a cleaner, quieter, and safer way of air mobility a reality. Every day we are seeing amazing progress from the team at our Flight Test Centre, each test providing valuable insights to help shape the next. We continue to work alongside our regulator to develop the safest and most advanced eVTOL aircraft in the world.
For more information
https://vertical-aerospace.com/
(Image: Chief Test Pilot, Justin Paines, in the cockpit of the new, more advanced full-scale VX4 prototype – Vertical Aerospace)