The UK’s first testbed for vertical aircraft in the electric air taxi industry has been given the go-head by Cherwell District Council.
The trial ‘vertiport’, plans for which were submitted in a joint application between Bicester Motion and Skyports, will be next to the existing runways at the 444-acre former RAF airfield in Oxfordshire. It will include a 160 sq m passenger terminal.
Skyports Infrastructure partnered with Vertical Aerospace, which will use the new site for its latest VX4 prototype, the first electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to use it.
The VX4 is designed to be piloted, carry four passengers and have a range of up to 100 miles. The aircraft is currently going through its piloted test flight programme. Vertical Aerospace will use the Skyports vertiport to conduct demonstration flights and test procedures ahead of commercial launch.
Daniel Geoghegan, chief executive of Bicester Motion, said: “This is a significant moment for Bicester Motion and the future of aviation here. The former RAF Bicester was born in a period of intense technological innovation and played its role in 1938 when the Halifax prototype L7244 flew its maiden trial flights from Bicester.
“Today, we continue to welcome aircraft from all eras including new mobility technologies to provide a viable future for our historic airfield through such pioneering partnerships as Skyports.
“The vertiport green light enables us to continue to host such aviation innovation and advance a world where sustainable and accessible electric aviation is in reach for all, with Bicester Motion at the centre.”
Duncan Walker, chief executive of Skyports, said: “With the green light from Cherwell District Council, now begins the exciting stage in vertiport development: building it. The tests and trials we conduct at this facility will be instrumental to the future of quiet, electric, vertical flight.
“Our vertiport at Bicester Motion will facilitate important learnings and demonstrations that advance the adoption of AAM (advanced air mobility). We are proud to be playing a pioneering role in shaping the future of this exciting industry in the UK.”
Construction is due to start in the Autumn.
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