Key facts
- David King, chief engineer at Vertical Aerospace, advised embracing the unknown.
- He emphasized learning through discovery while prioritizing safety.
- Vertical Aerospace is developing an eVTOL aircraft for use as a flying taxi.
- The company's VX4 prototype successfully completed a transition flight.
- Commercial service is targeted for 2029, with costs expected to be comparable to luxury rideshares.
David King, the chief engineer at Vertical Aerospace, a British company developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for use as flying taxis, shared his core career advice: "Don't be afraid of the unknown." He elaborated that individuals should "discover, and embrace the discovery, and learn as you go, but get to discovery safely and effectively." King, who has over 35 years of experience in the aerospace industry, spoke about his perspective at the Farnborough Airshow, where Vertical's VX4 prototype demonstrated a transition flight, moving from vertical lift to airplane-like forward flight. He began his career after obtaining a graduate degree from MIT in 1989 and previously held chief engineer roles at Bell and Leonardo before joining Vertical Aerospace in 2023. King highlighted the rewarding nature of continuous learning in his field, which is particularly relevant for companies like Vertical Aerospace that are pioneering new aircraft designs. eVTOLs are intended to operate with less noise than helicopters, potentially enabling urban air travel. Vertical states its Valo air taxi could cover the 22-mile distance from Miami Airport to Fort Lauderdale in 11 minutes, a journey that takes about an hour by car. The company anticipates that a seat on board will cost approximately the same as a luxury rideshare service. However, regulatory certification remains a hurdle for air taxis. King emphasized the importance of rapid testing and iteration, advising young engineers to establish safety "guardrails" for testing to facilitate learning without unnecessary risks or getting bogged down in perfecting models prematurely. He noted that embracing unexpected results, rather than being discouraged by them, accelerates innovation. Vertical Aerospace is aiming for commercial service to begin in 2029.