Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL) achieved a milestone in its eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle) development. On November 13, 2025, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) granted Vertical a “Permit to Fly,” authorizing the final flight-test phase where the aircraft will shift between thrustborne (“helicopter mode”) and wingborne cruise (“airplane mode”). Notably, the first pilot flight of this phase was completed that same day.
Earlier in 2025, Vertical completed thrustborne piloted flights, and by mid-year, it conducted its first open air wingborne flight, marking the first such demonstration in Europe for a winged eVTOL. Vertical has since collected performance and safety data over more than 400 kilometers of test flights, strengthening readiness for full transition testing. Vertical targets aircraft certification by 2028 in coordination with both the CAA and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Vertical is positioning itself to benefit from increasing regulatory alignment. Vertical endorsed the CAA’s policy consultation on commercial eVTOL regulation, which reaffirms the Special Condition for Vertical Take Off and Landing (SC-VTOL) standard first developed by the EASA and provides a certification pathway for the VX4 in Europe. At the same time, after a decade of uncertainty in eVTOL certification, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and EASA are providing clearer airworthiness criteria, crew licensing, and operational limitations. Analysts note that this regulatory alignment could strengthen Vertical’s position as certification standards across major aviation regulators converge, giving Vertical an advantage as commercial deployment begins later in the decade.
Financially, optimism is growing about Vertical’s long-term valuation as the market may be underappreciating Vertical’s long-term potential. Vertical noted that a valuation gap exists between its current share price and the potential value suggested by its aircraft performance and operating metrics. With its Permit to Fly secured and its final phase of testing underway, Vertical is positioned to attempt the piloted transition flight by year-end. A successful demonstration would strengthen its standing in the emerging eVTOL market, which is projected to grow from $1.2 billion in 2025 to over $4 billion by 2030, driven by urban air mobility demand, technological advances, and harmonizing regulatory frameworks.
The full article can be found here.
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