Raphael ThysA flying taxi built by UK firm Vertical Aerospace is set to fly in the coming weeks after a prototype was completed.
A replica of the firm's VX4 model was showcased at the Farnborough air show but now a working version will take to the skies for the next stage of testing – subject to clearance by the Civil Aviation Authority.
Flying high: A replica of the firm's VX4 model was showcased at the Farnborough air show but now a working version (pictured) will take to the skies
The prototype was mainly built at UK-based engineering giant GKN's site in Bristol.
Production of the VX4 – which will carry one pilot and four passengers – is expected to get off the ground fully from 2025, but the company has yet to reveal where.
Bristol-based Vertical listed on the New York stock exchange last December and is valued at £1.1billion.
Stephen Fitzpatrick – the founder of Vertical – described the completion of the VX4 prototype as a 'critical engineering milestone'.
The firm has worked alongside Rolls-Royce as well as US contractor Honeywell, Italy's Leonardo and Microsoft, to develop the aircraft.