Pegasus Universal Aerospace

Pegasus Universal Aerospace is a South African aerospace company founded in 2012 and based in Houghton Estate, Johannesburg. It is developing the Vertical Business Jet (VBJ), which it describes as the first civil business jet designed to take off and land vertically as well as from a conventional runway. The company also has legal entities in Delaware, USA, and London, UK.

Vertical Business Jet

Figures published by the company for the VBJ design:

• 7 people including the pilot
• Range of 4,400 km after a runway take-off, or 2,124 km after a vertical take-off
• Speed of up to 796 km/h
• Wingspan of 14.8 m
• Endurance of 6.6 hours from a runway or 3.18 hours with vertical take-off
• Designed to land on helipads, unpaved surfaces, runways and yacht decks

Development status

The VBJ is still in development. In 2021 the company reported a hover demonstration of a 1/8 scale model and plans for quarter scale models and a full scale unmanned hover model. In 2023 it announced a share sale to fund the VBJ project and a partnership with an engineering firm. A VBJ prototype appeared in a Hollywood film trailer. The site also shows concepts for eVTOL craft, drones and a Road Jet.

Company facts

• Founded in 2012
• Chairman and founder: Dr. Reza
• Vice-chairman: Jason Wolverson
• Headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa
• Entities in South Africa, Delaware (USA) and London (UK)