- David brings over thirty years’ unparalleled experience in the
aerospace engineering sector, having previously held senior roles
at Leonardo and Bell
- At Vertical, David will be responsible for the technical
development and overall performance of Vertical’s electric
aircraft, the VX4
Vertical Aerospace (Vertical) [NYSE: EVTL], a global aerospace
and technology company that is pioneering zero-emissions aviation,
today announces it has further strengthened its executive
leadership team with the appointment of David King as Chief
Engineer. David joins in February 2023 and will be responsible for
the technical development and overall performance of the Vertical’s
VX4 electric aircraft, supervising every phase of the project from
start to completion.
David previously spent seven years as Chief Engineer on the
AW609 VTOL aircraft developed by tier-one aerospace supplier,
Leonardo, a strategic partner of Vertical. David built and managed
a new engineering organisation at Leonardo Helicopter’s US
subsidiary, to modernise the AW609 design, initiate production, and
advance FAA certification of the world’s first commercial
tiltrotor. The AW609 is set to be the first new category aircraft
to be certified in over 50 years. The AW609 has demonstrated
unmatched vertical lift capability for the commercial market which
will be critical experience as David translates this expertise to
the VX4.
King has also held senior roles at both Leonardo and aircraft
manufacturer Bell Aircraft, where he was Chief Engineer and
launched Bell’s newest commercial helicopter design and
certification project, the Bell 525 Relentless. David has vast
experience developing and validating innovative technologies for
VTOL aircraft with tilting rotor systems and wing-borne cruise,
dating back to his integrated product team leadership role in
developing the revolutionary Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey Tiltrotor.
David has extensive global certification experience that he will
bring to bear on the VX4, spanning the US’ Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Canada, the UK’s Civil Aviation
Authority (CAA), Italy’s Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) and the
French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC).
Stephen Fitzpatrick, Founder and CEO of Vertical,
commented, “As we approach the next phase of our journey to the
skies, I am thrilled to welcome David on board. His unparalleled
experience in the design and certification of VTOL aircraft will
propel us forward on the next stage of our mission to transform the
way we travel.”
David King said, “From my time at Leonardo, I have
already seen first-hand the pioneering work Vertical is doing. The
pragmatic approach they have taken with the design and
certification of the VX4 will pave the way to success and I am
delighted to have the opportunity to work alongside the team in
their efforts to revolutionise air travel.”
-Ends-
About Vertical Aerospace
Vertical Aerospace is pioneering electric aviation. The company
was founded in 2016 by Stephen Fitzpatrick, an established
entrepreneur best known as the founder of the Ovo Group, a leading
energy and technology group and Europe’s largest independent energy
retailer. Over the past five years, Vertical has focused on
building the most experienced and senior team in the eVTOL
industry, who have over 1,700 combined years of engineering
experience, and have certified and supported over 30 different
civil and military aircraft and propulsion systems.
Vertical’s top-tier partner ecosystem is expected to de-risk
operational execution and its pathway to certification allows for a
lean cost structure and enables production at scale. Vertical has a
market-leading pre-order book by value for more than 1,400 aircraft
from global customers creating multiple potential near term and
actionable routes to market. Customers include American Airlines,
Virgin Atlantic, Avolon, Bristow, Marubeni, Iberojet and
FLYINGGROUP, as well as Japan Airlines (JAL), Gol, Air Greenland,
Gozen Holding and AirAsia, through Avolon’s VX4 placements.
Having been issued with its Permit to Fly from the UK’s Civil
Aviation Authority in September 2022, Vertical’s VX4 prototype has
successfully undertaken piloted flight tests. The flight test
programme will continue over the coming months, reaching higher
altitudes and speeds, as well as demonstrating the transition from
vertical to horizontal flight.
Vertical’s ordinary shares and warrants commenced trading on the
NYSE in December 2021 under the tickers “EVTL” and “EVTLW,”
respectively.
About the VX4 eVTOL Aircraft
The VX4 is projected to be capable of transporting a pilot and
up to four passengers, traveling distances of 100 miles, and
achieving top speeds of over 200 miles per hour, while producing
minimal noise and zero operating emissions. The VX4 is expected to
open up advanced air mobility to a whole new range of passengers
and transform how we travel. Find out more:
vertical-aerospace.com
Vertical Media Kit
Available here
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Any express or implied statements contained in this press
release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to
be forward-looking statements, including, without limitation,
statements regarding the certification and the commercialization of
the VX4 and related timelines, Mr King’s impact on Vertical’s
technical development and performance as its Chief Engineer,
expectations surrounding pre-orders and commitments, the features
and capabilities of the VX4, the transition towards a net-zero
emissions economy, expected financial performance and operational
performance for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022, as well
as statements that include the words “expect,” “intend,” “plan,”
“believe,” “project,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “may,” “should,”
“anticipate,” “will,” “aim,” “potential,” “continue,” “are likely
to” and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature.
Forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but
involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those projected,
including, without limitation: Vertical’s limited operating history
without manufactured non-prototype aircraft or completed eVTOL
aircraft customer order; Vertical’s history of losses and the
expectation to incur significant expenses and continuing losses for
the foreseeable future; the market for eVTOL aircraft being in a
relatively early stage; the potential inability of Vertical to
produce or launch aircraft in the volumes and on timelines
projected; the potential inability of Vertical to obtain the
necessary certifications on the timelines projected; any accidents
or incidents involving eVTOL aircraft could harm Vertical’s
business; Vertical’s dependence on partners and suppliers for the
components in its aircraft and for operational needs; the potential
that certain of Vertical’s strategic partnerships may not
materialize into long-term partnership arrangements; pre-orders
Vertical has received for its aircraft are conditional and may be
terminated at any time in writing prior to certain specified dates;
any potential failure by Vertical to effectively manage its growth;
the impact of COVID-19 on Vertical’s business; Vertical has
identified material weaknesses in its internal controls over
financial reporting and may be unable to remediate the material
weaknesses; Vertical’s dependence on our senior management team and
other highly skilled personnel; as a foreign private issuer
Vertical follows certain home country corporate governance rules,
is not subject to U.S. proxy rules and is subject to Exchange Act
reporting obligations that, to some extent, are more lenient and
less frequent than those of a U.S. domestic public company; and the
other important factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors”
in our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on April 29, 2022, as such factors
may be updated from time to time in Vertical’s other filings with
the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press
release speak only as of the date hereof and accordingly undue
reliance should not be placed on such statements. Vertical
disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any
forward-looking statements contained in this press release, whether
as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other
than to the extent required by applicable law.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221205005365/en/
For more information: Vertical
Media Harry Roxburgh nepeanverticalteam@nepean.co.uk +44 7814
372 664
Vertical Investors Eduardo Royes
investors@vertical-aerospace.com +1 646 200 8871
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