on this page
-
Markets
Defense
Transportation
-
Location
UK
-
Client
Vertical Aerospace
James Richmond
Head of Advanced Air Mobility, Bristol, UK contact form+44 1454 66 2361
We’re working with Bristol-based electric aircraft company Vertical Aerospace to help it develop an air taxi that could revolutionise the way that we move around our wider urban areas.
The company is one of only a few companies in the world to have built and flown two full scale, fully electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. If it’s successful, it could mean electric aviation, available for everyone.
Every year, drivers spend hours sitting in traffic, which means they’re dedicating less time to their families and their stress levels are rising. Congestion on the roads also has a significant economic and environmental impact. On-demand aviation has the potential to improve urban mobility by using available airspace to enable rapid, reliable and sustainable transportation between suburbs or cities. According to Vertical Aerospace, journey times could be cut by more than 80%. That means, for example, that passengers could get from Heathrow Airport to Canary Wharf in London (approximately 23 miles) in just 13 minutes.
Our role to date, has been to carry out safety analysis to support the test flight programme of a demonstration standard of the VX4 on route to certification. The Safety assessments follow the guidelines for development of civil aircraft, addressing the development cycle for aircraft and systems, that implement the aircraft functions and considering common cause and particular risks and hazards associated with the aircraft concept.
We have also provided our expertise to assess the airframe for crashworthiness by developing dynamic models of the full aircraft, including the Pilot, which were subjected to various crash scenarios. These models were used to inform the design of the airframe and confirm the flight envelope for flight testing.
Looking ahead, we hope to work with the authorities and the client to support Vertical Aerospace throughout the certification process of VX4.
In addition, as part of our Future Flight Challenge consortium, we’re also looking to considering how the aircraft will safely integrate with the wider advanced air mobility eco-system. This could include ensuring the vehicle integrates with emerging air traffic control systems, landing infrastructure and existing transportation modes.
Our work with Vertical Aerospace builds on the decades of experience we’ve gained on other landmark aviation projects, including the design and certification of major aircraft programmes; global airport infrastructure design; and the full-scale implementation of technologies such as biometric facial recognition at airport gates.
Please note that you are now leaving the AtkinsRéalis website (legal name: AtkinsRéalis Group inc.) and entering a website maintained by a third party (the "External Website") and that you do so at your own risk.
AtkinsRéalis has no control over the External Website, any data or other content contained therein or any additional linked websites. The link to the External Website is provided for convenience purposes only. By clicking "Accept" you acknowledge and agree that AtkinsRéalis is not responsible, and does not accept or assume any responsibility or liability whatsoever for the data protection policy, the content, the data or the technical operation of the External Website and/or any linked websites and that AtkinsRéalis is not liable for the terms and conditions (or terms of use) of the External Website. Further, you acknowledge and agree that you assume all risks resulting from entering and/or using the External Website and/or any linked websites.
BY ENTERING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE, YOU ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT YOU COMPLETELY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHTS AND CLAIMS AGAINST ATKINSRÉALIS, AND RELEASE, DISCHARGE, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS ATKINSRÉALIS, ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS AND AGENTS FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LIABILITY FOR LOSS, DAMAGES, EXPENSES AND COSTS ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH ENTERING AND/OR USING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE AND/OR ANY LINKED WEBSITES AND ANY DATA AND/OR CONTENT CONTAINED THEREIN.
Such waiver and release specifically includes, without limitation, any and all rights and claims pertaining to reliance on the data or content of the External Website, or claims pertaining to the processing of personal data, including but not limited to any rights under any applicable data protection statute. You also recognize by clicking “Accept” that the terms of this disclaimer are reasonable.
The information provided by Virtua Research cited herein is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranty of any kind. Use of any Virtua Research data is at a user’s own risk and Virtua Research disclaims any liability for use of the Virtua Research data. Although the information is obtained or compiled from reliable sources Virtua Research neither can nor does guarantee or make any representation or warranty, either express or implied, as to the accuracy, validity, sequence, timeliness, completeness or continued availability of any information or data, including third-party content, made available herein. In no event shall Virtua Research be liable for any decision made or action or inaction taken in reliance on any information or data, including third-party content. Virtua Research further explicitly disclaims, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
The consensus estimate provided by Virtua Research is based on estimates, forecasts and predictions made by third party financial analysts, as described above. It is not prepared based on information provided by AtkinsRéalis and can only be seen as a consensus view on AtkinsRéalis' possible future results from an outside perspective. AtkinsRéalis has not provided input on these forecasts, except by referring to past publicly disclosed information. AtkinsRéalis does not accept any responsibility for the quality or accuracy of any individual or average of forecasts or estimates. This web page contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by third parties. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between AtkinsRéalis' actual future results, financial situation, development or performance, and the estimates given here.
Vertical Aerospace’s pioneering work to take on-demand travel skyward has the potential to change the way we move around our cities and regional areas.
David Clark
Market Director, Aerospace & Defence
In addition, as part of our Future Flight Challenge consortium, we’re also looking to considering how the aircraft will safely integrate with the wider advanced air mobility eco-system. This could include ensuring the vehicle integrates with emerging air traffic control systems, landing infrastructure and existing transportation modes.
Our work with Vertical Aerospace builds on the decades of experience we’ve gained on other landmark aviation projects, including the design and certification of major aircraft programmes; global airport infrastructure design; and the full-scale implementation of technologies such as biometric facial recognition at airport gates.
“A new transportation system such as this requires in-depth understanding of each element and the ability to consider the cross-sector interdependencies that exist. AtkinsRéalis’ deep understanding of new vehicle technologies, aviation infrastructure and transportation planning, combined with our commitment to safety, puts us in a fantastic position to help this innovative company shape the future.” James Richmond, Urban Air Mobility Lead
“Vertical Aerospace’s pioneering work to take on-demand travel skyward has the potential to change the way we move around our cities and regional areas. Our capability, which includes safety assessment and certification, will help to reassure passengers that Vertical Aerospace’s technology is safe, as well as revolutionary. This is a very exciting time to be at the forefront of future transportation methods.” David Clark, Market Director, Aerospace & Defence.
Please note that you are now leaving the AtkinsRéalis website (legal name: AtkinsRéalis Group inc.) and entering a website maintained by a third party (the "External Website") and that you do so at your own risk.
AtkinsRéalis has no control over the External Website, any data or other content contained therein or any additional linked websites. The link to the External Website is provided for convenience purposes only. By clicking "Accept" you acknowledge and agree that AtkinsRéalis is not responsible, and does not accept or assume any responsibility or liability whatsoever for the data protection policy, the content, the data or the technical operation of the External Website and/or any linked websites and that AtkinsRéalis is not liable for the terms and conditions (or terms of use) of the External Website. Further, you acknowledge and agree that you assume all risks resulting from entering and/or using the External Website and/or any linked websites.
BY ENTERING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE, YOU ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT YOU COMPLETELY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHTS AND CLAIMS AGAINST ATKINSRÉALIS, AND RELEASE, DISCHARGE, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS ATKINSRÉALIS, ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS AND AGENTS FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LIABILITY FOR LOSS, DAMAGES, EXPENSES AND COSTS ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH ENTERING AND/OR USING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE AND/OR ANY LINKED WEBSITES AND ANY DATA AND/OR CONTENT CONTAINED THEREIN.
Such waiver and release specifically includes, without limitation, any and all rights and claims pertaining to reliance on the data or content of the External Website, or claims pertaining to the processing of personal data, including but not limited to any rights under any applicable data protection statute. You also recognize by clicking “Accept” that the terms of this disclaimer are reasonable.
The information provided by Virtua Research cited herein is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranty of any kind. Use of any Virtua Research data is at a user’s own risk and Virtua Research disclaims any liability for use of the Virtua Research data. Although the information is obtained or compiled from reliable sources Virtua Research neither can nor does guarantee or make any representation or warranty, either express or implied, as to the accuracy, validity, sequence, timeliness, completeness or continued availability of any information or data, including third-party content, made available herein. In no event shall Virtua Research be liable for any decision made or action or inaction taken in reliance on any information or data, including third-party content. Virtua Research further explicitly disclaims, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
The consensus estimate provided by Virtua Research is based on estimates, forecasts and predictions made by third party financial analysts, as described above. It is not prepared based on information provided by AtkinsRéalis and can only be seen as a consensus view on AtkinsRéalis' possible future results from an outside perspective. AtkinsRéalis has not provided input on these forecasts, except by referring to past publicly disclosed information. AtkinsRéalis does not accept any responsibility for the quality or accuracy of any individual or average of forecasts or estimates. This web page contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by third parties. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between AtkinsRéalis' actual future results, financial situation, development or performance, and the estimates given here.
Downloads
How new approaches are transforming aviation
PDF, 13.4MBContrails
PDF, 9MBSustainable Aviation: Achieving Net Zero in a Post-Covid World
PDF, 9.1MBTrade releases