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Transcript of Q1 2026 Update

“Completion of full transition was the end of the beginning, marking the completion of our technology development and demonstration phase, and importantly, the final validation of the core technical elements underpinning the VX4 design.

As we’ve said before, demonstrating eVTOL flight is not the challenge. Demonstrating it to airliner safety standards is.

Through our prototype aircraft, we have now completed that harder step. Our prototype was designed from the outset to replicate the key features of the certification aircraft, and now we have exercised it across its full flight envelope under a broad set of certification-relevant conditions. This milestone unlocks the final phase of VX4 design, building on substantial progress across all major systems and propelling VX4 design toward a critical design review, or CDR, which we are targeting in the middle of this year.

CDR establishes the certifiable design baseline and initiates the build and test of certification-conforming aircraft. It represents the point at which the aircraft’s design is considered sufficiently mature, validated to progress into building aircraft to be used for certification testing. It is one of the most rigorous phases in aerospace development and is underpinned by the analytical methods and validation data generated through the prototype program. Our certification program is not just a technical hurdle, it is a process that requires consistency, transparency, and rigor throughout.

Another key focus of CDR is alignment across the full certification ecosystem, suppliers, customers, and certification authorities. We have worked closely with all stakeholders to ensure the VX4 design incorporates learnings from the prototype technology demonstration program, aligns with market requirements, and meets commercial aviation standards.

CDR is therefore not just a technical milestone, it is where the aircraft design is fully optimized across customer needs, safety requirements, and supply chain readiness. As we’ve highlighted previously, we benefit from working with the UK Civil Aviation Authority, providing clarity on the certification framework and enabling early engagement with certification processes. Through our prototype program, we’ve effectively dry run key certification activities, embedding them into our development approach from an early stage, which then directly feeds into our certification design.

This results in a well-defined and de-risked path to certification, reducing the risk of timing or cost surprises as we progress toward production. The transition flight was a world first for an electric tiltrotor within a design organization approval framework, validating not just the aircraft, but the certification process itself.”

Full Transcript: https://www.investing.com/news/transcripts/earnings-call-transcript-vertical-aerospace-q1-2026-sees-stock-rise-amid-tech-milestones-93CH-4663661

Join us tomorrow at 16:00 GMT (12:00 EDT / 09:00 PDT) where Simon Davies will be answering your questions about everything from flight testing to flying the VX4.

Keep an eye out for our post tomorrow to get involved!

To the skies.

Edit - Hopefully this will be of interest to aviators even if it is on a different sub.

Mods, hope you don't mind posting?