Vertical Aerospace will conduct the first public demonstration flights of its Valo electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft at the Farnborough International Airshow, scheduled for July 20–24, 2026.
The demonstrations follow an expansion of the company’s Permit to Fly issued by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, allowing test flights beyond its Flight Test Centre at Cotswold Airport.
Flight Testing Expands Beyond Primary Test Base
Since receiving the expanded authorization earlier this year, Vertical Aerospace has conducted test flights with the Valo aircraft at several locations, including RAF Brize Norton, RAF Benson, Blackbushe Airport and Farnborough Airport.
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The company said the broader flight program enables testing across a range of operational environments as it progresses toward aircraft certification.
Certification and Production Plans Continue
Vertical Aerospace is targeting completion of the aircraft’s critical design review by the end of 2026.
The company also plans to bring an early production assembly facility into operation during the third quarter of 2026, while expanding its Vertical Energy Centre in the fourth quarter.
Hybrid-electric flight testing is scheduled to begin during the first half of 2027.
Customer Interest and Technology Development
According to Vertical Aerospace, the Valo has secured approximately 1,500 conditional pre-orders from customers across four continents.
Companies with conditional commitments include American Airlines, Avolon, Bristow, GOL and Japan Airlines.
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The Farnborough appearance follows the completion of piloted transition flight testing over the past year and coincides with a partnership announced with Near Earth Autonomy to integrate autonomous flight capabilities into the aircraft.
The company said the public demonstration forms part of its broader certification and commercialization program as it works toward bringing the aircraft into commercial service.