British aerospace firm Vertical Aerospace has unveiled its electric flying taxi in New York City. The aircraft targets short urban trips with near silent operation and zero emissions.
The public debut took place on 22 January. The aircraft uses a large rechargeable battery mounted under the fuselage. The battery slides out for fast charging, according to CEO Stuart Simpson.
The aircraft, called Valo, reaches speeds of up to 150 miles per hour. Booking costs are expected to match Uber Black pricing. Vertical Aerospace plans city launches from 2029.
Urban Air Mobility Focus
Vertical Aerospace positions Valo as a mass transport solution for congested cities. The company focuses on airport routes where traffic delays remain severe.
The flight from Manhattan to JFK Airport would take around seven minutes. Current ground travel often exceeds one hour during peak traffic.
Charging and Operations
After landing, the pilot connects the aircraft to a charger. Full recharge takes seven to ten minutes. This allows high daily utilization.
Testing and Certification Timeline
Vertical Aerospace has tested Valo variants since 2018. The company operates from Bristol, England. Full regulatory certification is targeted for 2028.
The leadership team has prior experience certifying more than 30 aircraft models. This background supports faster regulatory progress.
Low Noise Design Advantage
Valo uses short, wide rotors with complex curves. These rotors spin at lower speeds than helicopter blades. This design sharply reduces noise.
Traditional helicopters use long, thin rotors with high tip speeds near the speed of sound. This causes strong noise and limits urban approvals.
Seating and Interior
The airframe supports six seats. Initial commercial launches use four business class seats. This allows higher comfort and luggage capacity.
Airlines including American Airlines and Japan Airlines advised on cabin layout. Luggage space ranked as a key requirement.
Commercial Strategy
Vertical Aerospace plans to sell aircraft to airlines rather than operate services directly. Airlines then offer airport transfers and city flights.
One major airline has already ordered 350 units, according to the company.
Future Use Cases
Beyond airport transfers, Valo targets:
- Event transport
- Sightseeing flights
- Leisure travel
- Emergency response missions
Company Position
Board Chairman Dómhnal Slattery stressed the program follows full regulatory oversight. The company rejects any experimental label and focuses on certification readiness.
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