The site formerly known as RAF Bicester has history pioneering new aviation technology, from training Blenheim pilots via the prototype ‘Britain First’ to the plane that would become the Halifax secretly taking its maiden flight from the grassy runway.
Those traditions are set to continue, because Skyports plans to transform part of Bicester Motion’s site into the UK’s first vertiport by the end of 2024. A small-scale airport, it will be a testbed rather than public facing, and will not affect the comings and goings at Bicester Aerodrome Company on the airfield.
A passenger terminal will be built, along with passenger processing facilities, operations room and situational awareness module, all for testing the concept. A full explanation can be found on Bicester Motion's website, outlining more of the plans.
Vertical Aerospace, which has created a line of prototype electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, will conduct demonstration and test flights within the airfield perimeter, too.
“Our agreement is a major step for UK aviation innovation,’ said Daniel Geoghegan, chief executive, Bicester Motion. “Partnering with such an innovative company as Skyports is not only a significant boost to Oxfordshire’s aviation cluster but also will facilitate the development and accessibility to a new sustainable, low-carbon and futuristic mode of transport across the world.
“This news reflects the next chapter in Bicester Motion’s evolution of aviation and presents the opportunity for Bicester and the county to be at the forefront of this exciting pioneering industry.
“We have already had successful specialist drone flight testing from the airfield and these eVTOLs will use electric power to hover, take off, and land vertically meaning that noise is to a minimum and pioneering sustainable flight and travel are nearer a reality.”
The vertiport will be instrumental in shaping the future of the industry and groundbreaking technology. Gary Cutts, challenge director - Future Flight, Innovate UK, for example, believes that: “As a hub for researching, testing and demonstrating ground and air operations for the advanced air mobility industry, it will play a significant role in developing a UK vertiport network and implementing commercial air taxi services in the future.”
James Richmond, head of Advanced Air Mobility at consortium leader AtkinsRéalis: “This vertiport testbed will help to demonstrate the technical and commercial feasibility of air taxi services in the UK. It is also an ideal opportunity to optimise the passenger journey, taking into account key factors such as processing time, security and accessibility – bringing to life the future of air transport for the public and key stakeholders.”
And Andrew Macmillan, chief commercial and strategy officer at Vertical Aerospace, added: “At Vertical we are pioneering a new, hassle-free way to travel with zero emissions, but we can’t do this alone. Creating the right infrastructure is critical to getting electric aircraft into the air and the UK’s first vertiport will help accelerate this by providing crucial learnings to the industry. Along with our partners we are excited to show the world the benefits of electric aviation.”