August 22, 2019 marked a truly astonishing achievement in the history of aeronautics. At Wales’ Llanbedr Airfield, the Vertical Aerospace Seraph successfully completed its maiden flight. What is the Vertical Aerospace Seraph, you ask? It’s the world’s first electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, capable of carrying up to 550 pounds. 

Designed to test innovative systems and technologies that Vertical Aerospace plans to integrate into its passenger models in 2020, the Seraph can reach speeds of nearly 50 miles per hour. Founded in 2016, the company has grown to employ over 70 top-notch technical and engineering experts from some of the transportation industry’s biggest brands such as Rolls-Royce Airbus, Formula 1, Jaguar Land Rover, and Boeing. 

With its carbon-free, passive cooling system, and a design that can be customized to be larger or smaller, the aircraft can also include floats or wheels. It’s an innovation that’s poised to disrupt the current model of transporting passengers from city to city.