Vertical Aerospace, a company pioneering zero-emissions aviation, has provided an update on its program, including the completion of its remote thrustborne flight test campaign in July 2023. The company’s first full-scale VX4 prototype achieved its target speed of 40 knots (70 kilometers per hour), demonstrating exceptional overall stability and control, with performance targets generally exceeded by 10 to 30 percent during hover and low-speed flights. The VX4 program remains on track, with no changes to timelines. Vertical Aerospace is assembling a second, more advanced full-scale VX4 prototype, expected to be ready to fly early next year, and has another identical full-scale aircraft approved and expected to fly in the second half of 2024. The company experienced an incident during additional flight testing on August 9 when one of the aircraft’s electrical propulsion units (EPUs) was intentionally disabled, resulting in an excessive out-of-balance load and damage to the aircraft. The investigation identified the root cause as a bonding issue within the propeller blade itself, which has been redesigned and manufactured with a different process. The aircraft involved in the incident will be used in further ground tests but will not be repaired to an airworthy standard. Vertical Aerospace continues to be funded into H2 2024.