Xwing Says The Future of Air Transportation Is Autonomous, But How Close Is That Future?

FLYING speaks with the company’s product lead to get a look at its roadmap.

Michael Wildes

Thursday, April 07, 2022 at 10:15 AM ET

Verified

The Xwing staff working on one of its aircraft. [Courtesy: Xwing]

Key Takeaways:

Xwing is developing autonomous flight technology to convert existing aircraft into optionally piloted vehicles, having demonstrated a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan completing flights independently.
The company's strategy focuses on commercial cargo flights first to build safety evidence, secure regulatory approval, and address the pilot shortage, aiming to significantly reduce costs and increase aircraft utilization in regional air mobility.
Key current efforts include obtaining regulatory exemptions and supplemental type certificates, alongside further innovation in sensor technology for diverse environmental conditions and developing solutions for autonomous communication with air traffic control.

See a mistake? Contact us.

In February 2021, social media came abuzz when the startup company Xwing released footage of its experimental Cessna 208B Grand Caravan exiting its hangar at Buchanan Field in Concord, California, which then taxied, departed, landed, and taxied back to the hangar entirely on its own.

The video shows an overseeing pilot on board, who was only there to comply with regulatory requirements, and transfer flight controls to Xwing’s Mission Control Center that was remotely located on the field.