Vertical Aerospace, a UK-based global aerospace and technology company, announced on July 10, 2024 that the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) had extended its Design Organization Approval (DOA), helping to streamline the certification process.

The expanded DOA would assist Vertical Aerospace's engineers in signing off compliance for an increasing number of technical areas related to flight control, avionics, and electrical systems.

Vertical Aerospace reported it would work with the CAA to expand its DOA privileges, and it announced it is pursuing efforts for a permit to fly piloted flight tests on the VX4 program at its Flight Test Centre at Cotswold Airport (GBA).

Vertical's piloted, four-passenger VX4 aircraft is designed to fly at a speed of 200 miles per hour with a range of ~100 miles. The company is developing its aircraft using its own battery and propeller technology as well as that of other leading aerospace companies.

The CAA and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) also announced they would work together on the certification of the VX4. The collaboration would allow both the CAA and EASA's certification experts to apply common standards setting the path for compatible certification.