Vertical Aerospace

Vertical Aerospace is a British-based aerospace and technology company focused on pioneering electric aviation. Founded in 2016 by Stephen Fitzpatrick, who also established OVO Energy, the company is headquartered in Bristol, UK, an epicenter of the nation's aerospace industry. Fitzpatrick, a businessman with a background in finance and a passion for technology and sustainability, launched Vertical Aerospace to decarbonize the aviation sector.

The company is developing and manufacturing zero-emission electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed for the advanced air mobility (AAM) market. Its flagship product is the VX4, a piloted aircraft capable of carrying four passengers. The VX4 is designed to have a range of over 100 miles (161 km) and reach cruise speeds of 150 mph (241 km/h). The aircraft features a high-wing design, eight electric motors for distributed propulsion providing redundancy, and lightweight composite structures. The company became publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: EVTL) in December 2021 after merging with a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC).

Vertical Aerospace operates an asset-light business model, focusing on being an original equipment manufacturer (OEM). It collaborates with a network of established aerospace leaders such as Rolls-Royce for the electrical power system, Honeywell for flight control systems, Leonardo for the fuselage, GKN Aerospace, and Solvay. This strategy aims to de-risk execution, maintain a lean cost structure, and enable production at scale. The company generates revenue through the direct sale of its eVTOL aircraft to a diverse global client base that includes airlines, aircraft lessors, and helicopter operators. It has secured a significant pre-order book from customers like American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Avolon, Japan Airlines, and Bristow Group. Additionally, the company is exploring other business models, including a 'battery-as-a-service' and a turnkey 'ready-to-fly' solution in partnership with Bristow, which would provide clients with aircraft, pilots, and maintenance services.

Keywords: electric aviation, eVTOL aircraft, urban air mobility, aerospace manufacturing, sustainable transportation, VX4 aircraft, zero-emission flight, electric propulsion, advanced air mobility, aircraft certification, composite aerostructures, fly-by-wire systems, sustainable aviation, vertical flight, aerospace engineering, aircraft design, battery technology, electric aircraft, passenger drone, air taxi