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- UK startup Vertical Aerospace unveiled its new flying taxi this week.
- Traveling at speeds of up to 150mph, it could replace hourlong road journeys with 12-minute flights.
- It includes tech that makes the pilot's job easier with designs inspired by the F-35 fighter jet.
Vertical Aerospace has unveiled its new flying taxi, Valo.
Ahead of its big reveal on Wednesday, I was one of the first people to get a look at the aircraft.
Flying taxis are officially called electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, or eVTOLs.
The starting use case is that they can significantly reduce commute times between airports and city centers. Plus, they're quieter and less polluting than helicopters.
For example, Vertical says it would take 12 minutes between Canary Wharf and London Heathrow Airport, compared to over an hour via public transit or car.
However, its planned network also includes regional links between significant English cities, which it hopes could boost growth.
Valo could also be operated for emergency medical services and cargo missions, while Vertical is planning a future hybrid version with autonomous capabilities.
It's aiming for regulatory approval from the UK's Civil Aviation Authority in 2028.
"Valo sets a new standard — bigger, safer and more capable than anything in the sector," said Vertical's chair, Dómhnal Slattery. "It's a breakthrough for aviation and a clear sign of the UK's leadership in aerospace."
Here's what it looks like inside Valo, and how it's also using design ideas from fighter jets.
Vertical unveiled its new aircraft at an events space in London.
Canary Wharf is one of London's two primary financial districts, alongside the historic City of London. It was built on old docklands, and JPMorgan Chase recently announced plans for a new tower there.
The aircraft's design was slick and quite striking.
I got a look at the aircraft at the same time as numerous Vertical customers, which include American Airlines, Japan Airlines, and the helicopter operator Bristow.
Called "Valo," the new aircraft is the culmination of months of tests on its last prototype.
Valo can reach speeds of up to 150 miles per hour. The firm aims to produce 175 units a year by 2030, ramping up to over 225 units annually.
Unlike some rivals, Vertical plans to leave the operations up to its customers.
Vertical is positioning itself as an original equipment manufacturer, or OEM — the same sort of role as Airbus and Boeing.
Meanwhile, competitors like Archer Aviation are working on operational plans as well, which include setting their own ticket prices and planning apps for hailing aircraft.
Vertical also unveiled its planned route network, which it hopes will help boost the economy.
Vertical is working with Skyports and Bristow on this network. The former builds infrastructure, known as vertiports — similar to helipads but with facilities for passengers and aircraft charging. Bristow specializes in operating civilian helicopters.
A notable aspect of this network is its planned connections to Oxford and Cambridge. Transport links to the two cities, given their strength in academia and burgeoning startups, are seen as key to helping boost economic growth in the UK.
Valo also includes a surprisingly large cargo area.
Michael Cervenka, Vertical's chief commercial and strategy officer, compared it to the TARDIS from "Doctor Who," which is famous for being much bigger on the inside than from the outside.
It was indeed surprising to see suitcase after Rimowa suitcase pulled out — 12 altogether.
I had the chance to sit in the pilot's seat and learn more about the tech.
The two sidesticks are used for going forward and backward, or right to left. Valo utilises fly-by-wire technology, which means computer-controlled systems process the pilot's inputs.
Cervenka explained how Valo utilizes a philosophy called "unified control," which was first developed for fighter jets capable of vertical takeoff, such as the Harrier and the F-35.
"So what you want in an aircraft that's doing a transition between hover and forward flight is, it doesn't matter where you are in the flight envelope, you're essentially doing the same commands," he told Business Insider.
"It doesn't matter where you are; you can use those receptors, and they do the same thing. In hover, if I let go of everything, the aircraft stays stationary," he added.
Tilting propellers provide more maneuverability.
EVTOL manufacturers are building a new type of aircraft, so safety is paramount as they work toward certification. They're aiming to achieve the highest standard, which is also used for commercial airliners. This is referred to as 10-9, meaning one catastrophic failure in a billion flight hours.
Having several propellers and flaps means that if one of them stops working, the aircraft can still fly.
Tilting propellers also provide the pilot with more control.
"We can do something you would really struggle to do in any other tilt rotor or helicopter," Cervenka said. "We can take off, we can hover one meter above the ground, or less, and we can do a 360-degree turn in gusting winds with the aircraft staying very stable."
Inside the cabin, the futuristic and premium atmosphere was tangible.
This model was arranged with four seats, but there's also room for another two.
I especially liked the thin screen that displayed details like the flight time.
While Archer and Joby's passenger seats are all forward-facing, this arrangement felt more futuristic.
Valo has a divider between the cabin and cockpit, and the pilot can talk to passengers via a speaker. In addition to privacy, this physical barrier enhances safety as nobody can interfere with the controls.
"Here, one of the really important things for us was: Yes, this starts with a premium service, but you don't know who you're getting into the aircraft with," Cervenka said.
