Vertical Aerospace to fly eVTOL at the Farnborough International Airshow

Vertical Aerospace will conduct public demonstration flights at the Farnborough International Airshow, marking the first time an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft has participated in the show’s flying display.

The Bristol-based company plans to fly its full-scale piloted prototype throughout the event, which takes place from 20 to 24 July. The appearances remain subject to approved flying conditions and final display timings.

The aircraft will demonstrate technology developed for Valo, Vertical’s four-passenger commercial eVTOL design. A full-scale model of Valo will also be displayed inside Hall 4, allowing visitors to explore the aircraft alongside the company’s wider technology and supply chain ecosystem.

Expanded approval enables public flights

The announcement follows an expansion of Vertical’s Permit to Fly by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, allowing the company to conduct public demonstrations away from its flight-test centre at Cotswold Airport.

Since receiving the approval, Vertical’s test pilots have flown the prototype into several additional locations, including RAF Brize Norton, RAF Benson, Blackbushe Airport and Farnborough Airport.

These flights have broadened the test programme beyond Vertical’s usual operating base and allowed the company to build experience across different airport and airspace environments.

Vertical has also completed piloted transition testing, during which the aircraft moves from vertical lift into wingborne forward flight. The company is now working towards certification, industrialisation and entry into commercial service.

“Every milestone we deliver reduces risk, strengthens our competitive position and brings us closer to building one of the world’s leading electric aerospace companies,” Vertical Aerospace chief executive Stuart Simpson said.

UK advanced air mobility on show

The display will give the international aerospace industry a highly visible demonstration of the progress being made within the UK’s advanced air mobility sector.

Vertical works with a network of aerospace partners, including Honeywell Aerospace, Aciturri, Evolito, Hyundai WIA, Syensqo, Sonaca and Isoclima. It has also secured approximately 1,500 conditional pre-orders from customers, including American Airlines, Avolon, Bristow, GOL and Japan Airlines.

The company expects to complete Valo’s critical design review by the end of 2026, establishing the baseline from which certification-conforming aircraft can be built and tested. It also plans to bring an early production aircraft assembly facility online during the third quarter.

Vertical’s participation means visitors will see not only an eVTOL concept on the exhibition floor, but a piloted electric aircraft operating in the Farnborough flying display for the first time.