20 August 2024
A vertiport for the emerging electric air taxi industry planned for Bicester Airfield is to go ahead.
The local council, Cherwell, has approved the planning application by Bicester Motion to build the vertiport. It will be adjacent to the existing grass runways and includes a ‘compact’ 160 sq metre passenger terminal.
Aerial view of Skyports Infrastructure’s new vertiport and terminal at Bicester Motion alongside its new innovation buildings
The UK’s Vertical Aerospace is likely to be the first operator. The company’s prototype VX4 electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) will use it to test ground infrastructure and flight operations.
The vertiport will be built and run by Skyports Infrastructure. The computer generated images here show the vertiport’s exterior and interior. It will be equipped with Skyports’ technology, including its Resource Management and Scheduling System (RMSS) and Vertiport Automation System (VAS).
New terminal interior at Skyports vertiport at Bicester Motion
Vertical’s VX4 is designed to be piloted, carry four passengers and have a range of up to 100 miles. The aircraft successfully completed its first tethered piloted flight in July and is now progressing through its piloted test flight programme.
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 trail 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.”
The vertiport is being developed as part of the Advanced Mobility Ecosystem Consortium: a group of leading British aviation, technology and transportation organisations pioneering AAM in the UK, backed by the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Future Flight Challenge.
Construction is due to start in the Autumn.
