Wisk Aero’s autonomous Generation 6 aircraft completes its maiden sortie. [Credit: Wisk Aero]
Key Takeaways:
Wisk Aero, a Boeing venture, successfully completed the first autonomous, uncrewed flight of its Generation 6 (Gen 6) electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi.
The Gen 6 is designed to be fully autonomous from launch, aiming to be the first pilotless passenger-carrying aircraft certified in the U.S. with commercial service planned for major cities before 2030.
Wisk's eVTOL will rely on advanced autonomous systems and remote supervision, built to meet rigorous safety standards comparable to commercial aircraft, and is undergoing extensive testing and collaboration with the FAA and NASA for certification and airspace integration.
It’s not every day that a new aircraft makes its first flight. Even rarer is a first flight without a pilot in the cockpit.
But that’s exactly how the inaugural sortie for the Generation 6—an autonomous, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi being developed by Boeing’s Wisk Aero—played out.
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Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.
