Bristol-based Vertical Aerospace (VA) has confirmed a strategic partnership with Honeywell; the latter’s ‘fly-by-wire’ aircraft control systems will be used on VA’s future air taxis.

Cities are congested and polluted; VA wants to remedy this by making urban air mobility a reality by 2023.

It says that strong partners like Honeywell, which have invested in the technologies applicable for the eVTOL market, making their systems smaller and lighter — while keeping safety at the forefront — are the key to success.

Honeywell’s (www.honeywell.com) new triplex fly-by-wire computers offer the critical redundancy that VA is looking for in developing incredibly safe eVTOL aircraft.

The company’s high-performance systems will be integrated into a flying prototype in 2020.

VA’s COO, Michael Cervenka (www.vertical-aerospace.com), said: “I’m delighted that we have signed this important contract with Honeywell.

This is the culmination of a thorough evaluation, during which we were impressed by Honeywell’s product offering and technical capabilities.

"Equally important is the speed, agility and level of support they have provided. I very much look forward to progressing to the next phase, on our exciting journey towards a fully certified aircraft.”

Carl Esposito, Honeywell Aerospacepresident (electronic solutions), said: “Rapid technology innovation is at the
forefront of our surge in meeting the urban air mobility challenge.

"We’re excited to work with Vertical Aerospace on installing our new compact fly-by-wire system into its eVTOL platform, helping its air taxi meet all safety, maintenance and operating objectives from prototype testing through to deployment.”