Wisk Aero tests autonomous electric aircraft in Los Angeles

Wisk Aero, a company specialising in electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles, has initiated flight testing for its autonomous air taxi aircraft in Los Angeles, according to CEO Brian Yutko.

Although the flight test of Wisk's fifth-generation aircraft, known as Cora, from Long Beach Airport near Los Angeles does not necessarily signify an immediate launch of its air taxi service in the city, it does underscore the company's significant progress toward commercialisation.

Wisk, a subsidiary of Boeing, is diligently working on developing its all-electric autonomous aircraft, with the ultimate goal of launching and eventually commercialising this groundbreaking technology. In October 2022, the company unveiled a four-passenger aircraft and embarked on the rigorous process of obtaining Type certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

This certification involves meeting the FAA's stringent design and safety standards. Moreover, the company must acquire operational approval and supervisor qualification from the FAA to be eligible for the commercial operation of an air taxi service.

Wisk has already secured experimental certification from the FAA for its fifth-generation aircraft, allowing them to conduct testing. Currently, the company is conducting tests in Los Angeles, marking its third testing location. Earlier this year, Wisk tested its fifth-generation air taxi in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and from the San Luis Obispo airport. CEO Yutko has indicated that Wisk is likely to extend its testing to other markets.

Yutko emphasised that their testing efforts extend beyond the aircraft itself. He stressed the importance of ensuring that people and systems can effectively collaborate in real-world environments to facilitate learning and iterative improvements. He said, "This is real-world autonomy we're talking about."

It indicates that they are not just testing the aircraft in a controlled environment, but they are also testing how it will interact with people and other systems in the real world. This is important because it will help to ensure that the aircraft is safe and reliable when it is used in real-world applications.

Wisk is actively developing its sixth-generation aircraft and anticipates receiving experimental certification from the FAA by 2024. Yutko has expressed his expectation that the sixth-generation aircraft will be operational and flying by the time of the next UP Summit, scheduled to be held in Bentonville, Arkansas in the fall of 2024.