Two test flights of a zero-emission ‘flying taxi’ between Bristol Airport and a South West airfield are planned for 2024, as part of efforts to establish a world-first electric flight ecosystem.
A new consortium involving Bristol aerospace firm Vertical Aerospace, which is developing the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, and airline Virgin Atlantic, which will operate the trial flights, has been awarded a £9.5m grant by the government.
The group - which also includes engineering giant Atkins, national air navigation provider NATS and top academic institutions - has been backed to demonstrate commercial and operational viability.
In addition to the two physical flights between Bristol Airport and the other unspecified South West location, a further demonstration flight is planned between London Heathrow airport and a new ‘vertiport’ innovation centre, to be established by airspace infrastructure firm Skyports.
A third, digital simulation flight between Bristol Airport and London City Airport will aim to show the potential to connect urban centres using the aircraft.
The demonstrations will explore key aspects of the passenger journey, vehicle operation, airspace navigation, ground charging, security provision and local stakeholder engagement.
Heathrow and Bristol Airport have agreed to support the test flights by 2024, allowing the consortium to research and take learnings from the opportunities and challenges of operating in different airport environments.
Vertical Aerospace, which was set up by Ovo Energy founder Stephen Fitzpatrick in 2016 and is based on Chapel St in Bristol, is targeting the highest global certification for its VX4 vehicle.
The firm has previously said the aircraft will be designed to to carry four passengers for more than 100 miles at a top speed of more than 200mph, while producing minimal noise and zero operating emissions.
The test flights, planned for Spring 2024, will be congruent with the VX4 receiving its type certificate as it seeks to enter service by 2025.
Vertical Aerospace said it would be in constant dialogue with the UK Civil Aviation Authority throughout the process to receive the necessary regulatory approvals to conduct the proposed missions.
Andrew Macmillan, director of strategy at Vertical Aerospace, said: “Vertical is not flying solo. We are building the best industrial and commercial partner ecosystems and are progressing in Britain with our UK launch customer, Virgin Atlantic.
“We want the UK to lead the electric aviation and AAM revolution. This consortium will help prove how we can deliver safer, cleaner and quieter air travel with the VX4.”
Holly Boyd-Boland, vice president of corporate development at Virgin Atlantic, added: “We are thrilled to be working alongside our consortium partners to accelerate the introduction of zero emission flight to UK customers.
“As the only airline in the consortium, Virgin Atlantic brings 38 years of operational excellence, a relentless focus on safety and security, and an unrivalled focus on the end-to-end customer journey. Alongside our partners, we are looking forward to getting the first Virgin Atlantic eVTOL aircraft into the skies.”
The latest funding for the scheme has been secured via a programme called the ‘Future Flight challenge’. Delivered by government sponsored body UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), it seeks to help develop greener ways to fly, such as all-electric aircraft and deliveries by drone, as part of the UK’s effort to reduce carbon emissions to net zero.
Programme director Gary Cutts said: “Our roadmap sets out how air taxis could be in use in the UK by 2030, but a lot needs to occur for that to happen.
“By bringing technical developments from across the aviation industry together into one network, and undertaking early demonstration in the real-world, the Advanced Mobility Ecosystem Consortium could accelerate the timescale for AAM introduction by years.
“This project could revolutionise travel, not just in the UK but around the world.”
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