The British company Vertical Aerospace has carried out the first flight in open air space in Europe of a “flying taxi”, which is planned to be used to transport passengers in the coming years. As reported The Daily Telegraph (DT).
It is noted that the prototype of the VX4 electric aircraft made an experimental flight over the Cotswolds region in the southwest of England, using the local airport runway for acceleration. Pilot Simon Davis was at the controls. According to the publication, the next test will be aimed at demonstrating the capabilities of the VX4 vertical takeoff and transition to cruise flight mode.
Earlier, Deputy Minister of Transport Mike Cain told members of the House of Commons (lower house) of the British Parliament that the government hopes to create a “flying taxi” by 2028. DT indicated that the UK authorities have allocated millions of pounds sterling to Vertical Aerospace for the development of the VX4. As the newspaper noted, the aircraft can carry four passengers, has a range of up to 160 km and develops a speed of up to 240 km / h.
Vertical Aerospace was founded by businessman Stephen Fitzpatrick, who previously founded energy company OVO Energy and owned motor racing team Manor Racing. Earlier this year, he ceded control of the innovative firm to US investment fund Mudrick Capital, which invested 50m pounds (70m dollars) to rescue the struggling startup.
