Vertical Aerospace revealed flight footage of an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL). The prototype, named Seraph, completed its maiden flight at Llanbedr Airfield in Wales on the 22 August 2020. It followed the successful flight of Vertical Aerospace’s first full-scale prototype in May 2018, the UK’s first eVTOL aircraft to be granted flight permission by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
The Seraph was built to test new technologies and systems for integration into Vertical Aerospace’s upcoming passenger model, due to be unveiled next year. The aircraft is capable of carrying loads of up to 250kg and can reach speeds of up to 80km per hour. The aircraft develops concepts from their first aircraft and builds in capabilities which will be critical for eVTOL aircraft seeking certification from aviation authorities.
The successful test flight came as Vertical Aerospace announced the acquisition of MGI, an F1 engineering consultancy led by British motorsport veteran Mike Gascoyne. Gascoyne and his team of 20 specialists now form Vertical Advanced Engineering, bringing the total Vertical team to more than 70.
Gascoyne’s team bring decades of experience building high-performance vehicles for Formula 1 and Formula E, having worked with international racing teams including Williams, McLaren, Tyrell, Benetton, Renault and Lotus. They apply the latest technologies and agile processes from F1 to the development of eVTOL aircraft. By combining aerospace engineering excellence with new technologies from Formula 1 Vertical Aerospace they are able to bring a superior certified aircraft to market more quickly.
The company has already begun the certification process for its next model, a passenger aircraft due to be unveiled next year and aims to have a certified aircraft in the next three years. Founded by Stephen Fitzpatrick, CEO of OVO, Vertical Aerospace is building technology and aircraft to revolutionise how people fly. Our mission is to make air travel personal, on-demand and carbon-free. Since its inception in 2016, Vertical Aerospace has grown to over 70 world-class engineers and technical experts, recruited from the likes of Airbus, Boeing, Rolls-Royce and Jaguar Land Rover. By partnering with aviation specialists at Honeywell and Atkins, we are able to integrate their systems and draw on extensive experience in-flight controls and aircraft infrastructure to accelerate progress towards our first passenger model.
Vertical Aerospace’s first aircraft was launched in 2018 with CAA flight approval. Our second aircraft, the Seraph, followed in 2019, making Vertical Aerospace the first in the world to release flight footage of an aircraft capable of carrying 250kg. Working with regulators, the company aims to begin offering intercity air taxi services within four years.
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About Vertical Aerospace’s Advanced Engineering Division: Since its foundation in 2003, Vertical Advanced Engineering - formerly MGI - has delivered cutting-edge technology solutions to businesses by leveraging its unique skill set across the aerospace and aviation, automotive and transport, motorsport and marine industries.
The DNA of our Advanced Engineering Division is rooted in extensive R&D, fast-paced development, rapid delivery, and collaboration across experts in our trusted international network. With the addition of MGI’s experienced technical team of motorsport specialists, our new Oxfordshire campus will focus on delivering innovative solutions to challenges posed by the novel nature of the eVTOL market.
http:// www.vertical-advanced-engineering.com
