Vertical Aerospace debuts Valo eVTOL in New York

Vertical Aerospace has brought its Valo electric aircraft to the US for the first time, launching a tour in New York alongside plans for air taxi routes in and out of Manhattan developed with Bristow Group and Skyports Infrastructure. The aircraft, which Vertical is targeting for certification in 2028, is designed to fly up to 100 miles at speeds of up to 150mph with zero operating emissions, with a four-seat cabin that can be expanded to six seats.

The companies are exploring use cases including airport transfers connecting JFK to Manhattan, event travel to MetLife Stadium, aerial sightseeing, leisure travel to East Hampton and cross-town urban transfers between heliports.

Stuart Simpson, Chief Executive of Vertical Aerospace, said: “New York is a natural next step to explore how electric aviation could support urban and regional travel in the US, working with partners like Bristow and Skyports to keep safety, certification and real-world operations at the core.”

Chris Bradshaw, President and Chief Executive of Bristow Group, said: “Exploring future eVTOL use cases in a market like New York allows us to apply that operational experience to new, sustainable aviation concepts as the technology and regulatory environment continue to mature.”

The Valo aircraft was on public display at the Classic Car Club Manhattan on 23 January.

Source: Vertical Aerospace