Britain has completed its first flight of a flying taxi over the Cotswolds Region. The VX4 electric aircraft, developed by Bristol-based company Vertical Aerospace, flew for the first time outside of controlled test conditions. Piloted by Simon Davies, the flight took place after the aircraft received approval from the Civil Aviation Authority and took off from the runway at Cotswolds Airport. The flight marks a significant achievement not only for the UK but also for Europe, as it is the first time an air taxi has flown in European airspace.
“Taking the plane beyond the airfield and flying over the Cotswolds for the first time was truly special and a significant moment in my career,” said pilot Simon Davies.
The VX4 is a zero-emission electric aircraft that looks like a helicopter and flies like a plane. It can carry a pilot and four passengers, with a range of up to 100 miles and speeds of up to 240 km/h. The next VX4 flight will focus on demonstrating vertical take-off and landing, as well as the transition from hover to full flight. The British government has set an ambitious target of making air taxis an everyday reality by 2028. This event marks a significant step towards sustainable urban air transport, putting the UK at the forefront of the global race for the future of electric flight.
