eVTOL prototypes complete first horizontal flight tests in Brazil and United Kingdom

Eve Air Mobility, a subsidiary of Embraer, successfully completed the first horizontal‑flight transition of its electric vertical‑take‑off‑and‑landing (eVTOL) prototype at the company’s Gavião Peixoto facility in São Paulo, Brazil. The aircraft remained airborne for 3 minutes 9 seconds, covering about 1.5 km at an altitude of 27 m and reaching a top speed of 55 km/h. The test validated the rear‑propulsion system’s ability to shift from vertical to forward flight, a critical milestone before certification by Brazil’s ANAC and series production slated for 2027. The five‑seat vehicle is designed for short‑range urban trips with a 100 km range, and roughly 3,000 units have been ordered.

At the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom, Vertical Aerospace demonstrated a full‑scale model of its eVTOL aircraft in a public flight. The prototype featured second‑generation composite rotor blades developed with the UK National Composites Centre, which also contributed to the airframe. The new rotor architecture integrates structural strength into the design, delivering lift for vertical take‑off and smooth transition to forward flight while meeting weight and certification requirements. The flight highlighted progress toward industrialisation and series production, with the company aiming to bring the aircraft to market in the coming years.