To create the first electric flight ecosystem, two test flights of a zero-emission "flying taxi" between Bristol Airport and a South West airfield are scheduled for 2024, according to BusinessLive.
The UK government has granted a £9.5 million grant to a new collaboration that includes the Bristol aerospace company Vertical Aerospace, which is creating the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, and the carrier Virgin Atlantic.
The firm will also be responsible for conducting the test flights.
Germany-based company Volocopter 2X's air taxi is flown by test pilot Damian Hischier during a demonstration of South Korea's Urban Air Mobility services at Gimpo International Airport in Seoul in November 11, 2021, in the first ever crewed public test flight of a fully electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air taxi in South Korea.
The Flight Tests
The team, which also consists of engineering behemoth Atkins, national aviation navigation service provider NATS, and leading academic institutions, has received support to show that the project is both commercially and operationally viable.
Besides the two actual flights between Bristol Airport and the other South West location, a third demonstration flight will also be conducted between London Heathrow airport and a new "vertiport" innovation center, which is set for construction by airspace infrastructure company Skyports.
The third flight will be a digital simulation between Bristol Airport and London City Airport to demonstrate the aircraft's potential for linking urban centers.
According to BusinessLive, the demos will focus on important facets of the passenger experience, vehicle management, airspace navigation, ground charging, security support, and local stakeholder involvement.
The consortium will be able to study and learn from the opportunities and drawbacks of operating in various airport environments thanks to Heathrow and Bristol Airport's agreement to assist the test flights by 2024.
Read also: CES 2022: SkyDrive Air Taxi Flying Car Flaunts Emission-Free Technology
Flying Taxi's Capabilities
Vertical Aerospace has previously stated that the flying taxi will be able to carry four people more than 100 miles at a maximum speed of more than 200 mph while emitting little to no noise and pollutants during its flight.
The test flights are scheduled to take place in the spring of 2024, in time for the VX4 to receive its type certificate and begin operations by 2025.
According to the company, it would maintain ongoing communication with the UK Civil Aviation Authority throughout the procedure to get the required legal authorizations to carry out the planned test flights.
Vertical Aerospace's head of strategy, Andrew Macmillan, the company is developing the best ecosystems of industrial and commercial partners and making progress in Britain with Virgin Atlantic, who served as their UK launch customer.
Through a program called the "Future Flight challenge," the most recent funding for the project has been obtained. As part of the UK's commitment to cut carbon emissions net zero, it is provided by the government-backed organization UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), which aims to assist in developing more environmentally friendly flying methods such as all-electric aircraft and drone deliveries.
Related Article: Electric Flying Taxi 'Maker' That Takeoffs/Lands Vertically to Commercially Launch in 2024
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Written by Joaquin Victor Tacla
