Results for: wisk
Gary Gysin, Former Wisk CEO, Joins Airspeeder Board
Airspeeder announced last week that Gary Gysin will be joining their Board. Gary brings a wealth of experience and expertise to further drive the advancement of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technology and autonomous flight. Gary most recently was the founding CEO of Wisk Aero, a joint venture between the Boeing Company and Larry Page’s Kittyhawk. Prior to Gary’s...

Gary Gysin, Former Wisk CEO, Joins Airspeeder Board

Airspeeder announced last week that Gary Gysin will be joining their Board. Gary brings a wealth of experience and expertise to further drive the advancement of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technology and autonomous flight.

Gary most recently was the founding CEO of Wisk Aero, a joint venture between the Boeing Company and Larry Page’s Kittyhawk. Prior to Gary’s retirement in February of 2023, Gysin built Wisk into the market-leading self-flying, all-electric, 4-seat air taxi, created the executive and development leadership teams, set the strategic targets for the company, including the entry into service timing and city roll-out, launched the company’s commercial type certified aircraft development program, and closed over $450M in new financing capital. Wisk recently became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Boeing Company.
Airspeeder is poised to advance aerial mobility through flying car racing. In bringing together cutting-edge technology, high-performance electric aircraft, and thrilling racing experiences, Airspeeder aims to accelerate the development of eVTOL technology and inspire the next generation of aviators and engineers.
Airspeeder and Alauda Aeronautics operate on a global scale with a technical HQ in Adelaide, South Australia, strategically positioned in close proximity to ideal testing grounds for a groundbreaking form of aerial mobility. The sports commercial, communications, and administrative headquarters are based in London, England, led by Airspeeder’s Co-founder, Jack Withinshaw. This London location provides Airspeeder with direct access to leaders in motorsport, rights management, and regulatory matters.
Why it’s important: Airspeeder’s mission of application of advanced racing technologies first to an eVTOL racing series and then following to the aerial mobility industry allows for more experience to inform design advances in a controlled, safe, and innovative environment. Gary Gysin has shared that he has substantial interest in Formula 1 Racing, a model for the proposed Airspeeder Racing League.
Wisk Conducts First Public Fully Autonomous Flight at EAA AirVenture 2023
Wisk has successfully flown its fifth-generation eVTOL, Cora at this week’s EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh. The event marks the companies first pubic autonomous demonstration of its anticipated eVTOL air taxi. The flight, which included two runway passes and a vertical to wingborne flight maneuver, lasted 4 minutes and carried no passengers. “The final portion of the flight it came back...

Wisk Conducts First Public Fully Autonomous Flight at EAA AirVenture 2023

Wisk has successfully flown its fifth-generation eVTOL, Cora at this week’s EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh. The event marks the companies first pubic autonomous demonstration of its anticipated eVTOL air taxi.
The flight, which included two runway passes and a vertical to wingborne flight maneuver, lasted 4 minutes and carried no passengers. “The final portion of the flight it came back to center stage, did a 270-deg. pedal turn, hovered there for a minute, did a little hat tip—dipped its nose to the crowd,” said Jay Pankowski, Wisk manager of operations support, who served as flight announcer. “We couldn’t be more thrilled with the outcome.”
Headquartered just outside of San Jose, California, Wisk has been steadily progressing through its flight test campagin ahead of FAA certification.
“The context of [the demonstration] was being the first performer after the parachuters and the National Anthem opening what is a pretty complex airshow, with a lot of fast-moving airplanes,” said Wisk Aero CEO Brian Yutko, speaking with Aviation Week. “Fitting into that environment and doing it in a non-disruptive way was a key focus for us and the team totally knocked it out of the park.”

Wisk will get plenty of facetime this week as it will perform public demonstration flights on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The flights are manned by a six person crew, 3 remote pilot/engineers, a crew chief and assistant, and a visual observer, which the FAA requires while Wisk is unable to remotely sense and avoid other traffic.
“What we’ve said so far is we intend to certify it and get into commercial operations this decade,” Yutko said. “It’s our job to put forward what we think is a safe system; it’s the FAA’s job to independently check it and validate it. Given how novel this all is, we don’t want to improperly apply pressure to our teams or to the other teams to meet a date. But we have internal timelines and we think that we can get the job done and start commercial service this decade.”
Why it matters: eVTOL has been increasingly highlighted at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh since the Covid pandemic. With designs reaching flight test maturity, the public gets to now see eVTOL’s first hand and it can be expected that fully autonomous operation and FAA certification is in the not too distant future.
Boeing takes full ownership of Wisk
Boeing has purchased all of Kitty Hawk’s stake in Wisk in a move to become a complete owner of the Wisk Aerial Mobility development company. This new full ownership structure allow Wisk to more fully utilize Boeing’s expertise in development, testing, and certification, though Wisk will continue to operate as a separate company. Although Wisk was initially founded as a...

Boeing takes full ownership of Wisk

Boeing has purchased all of Kitty Hawk’s stake in Wisk in a move to become a complete owner of the Wisk Aerial Mobility development company. This new full ownership structure allow Wisk to more fully utilize Boeing’s expertise in development, testing, and certification, though Wisk will continue to operate as a separate company.

Although Wisk was initially founded as a joint venture between Boeing and eVTOL developer Kitty Hawk, with Boeing having invested over $450 million into Wisk last year, the company until now had been financially and supported by Boeing, rather than a subsidiary. With this new development, Wisk has now become a wholly-owned subsidiary under Boeing, making the two companies a single shareholder.
Despite Boeing’s new ownership of Wisk, Wisk’s CEO Brian Yutko has maintained that the company will continue its current operations and development of the aircraft as its own entity. Because Boeing and Wisk have already been working closely together on this upcoming aircraft for several years, current operations for the company will likely continue as they are, although Wisk’s aircraft will now utlimately be a Boeing product.
By assuming ownership of Wisk, Boeing gains an opportunity to consolidate Wisk’s efforts and streamline the development process, while simultaneously making themselves a major industry leader in the eVTOL industry. This acquisition solidifies Boeing’s commitment to becoming a long-term leader in the aerial mobility space, and to bringing electric urban aircraft to market.
Late last year, Wisk unveiled the latest version of its aircraft; a four-passenger, autonomous, fully-electric tilt-rotor eVTOL with a range of 90 miles and the ability to charge in 15 minutes. With this aircraft, Wisk hopes to transform the way people move around and between large cities and connected regional destinations.
Why it’s important: This move by the two companies demonstrates Boeing’s belief in the significance and upcoming potential of these new aircraft. As eVTOL moves further down the certification pipeline towards operation, we can expect to see more major OEMs seeking to become a part of this new value offer. Additionally, this new relationship will allow Wisk to fully access the entirety of Boeing’s resources, offering the company a even faster and even more experienced route to certification and commercial operation. By leveraging Wisk’s expertise and technological advancements in eVTOL aircraft, Boeing is now also poised to accelerate the development of safe and reliable air taxi services.
Related:
- Wisk Aero and Japan Airlines partner for future AAM operations (May 2023)
- Wisk Unveils World’s First Self-Flying, Four-Seat, All-Electric, Vertical Takeoff and Landing Air Taxi (October 2022)
- Boeing and Wisk Release Urban Air Mobility Concept of Operations, Lay Path for UAM Ops by 2030
- Boeing Invests an additional $495 Million into Wisk (January 2022)
Wisk Aero and Japan Airlines partner for future AAM operations
Wisk Aero, an Advanced Air Mobility company, and Japan Airlines (JAL), a prominent international airline based in Japan, are partnering to bring Wisk’s self-flying, all-electric air taxi services to Japan. Additionally, Wisk and JAL Engineering (JALEC), will work closely together to develop plans for the maintenance and operation of Wisk’s autonomous air taxis. “We are excited to be partnering with...

Wisk Aero and Japan Airlines partner for future AAM operations

Wisk Aero, an Advanced Air Mobility company, and Japan Airlines (JAL), a prominent international airline based in Japan, are partnering to bring Wisk’s self-flying, all-electric air taxi services to Japan. Additionally, Wisk and JAL Engineering (JALEC), will work closely together to develop plans for the maintenance and operation of Wisk’s autonomous air taxis.
“We are excited to be partnering with Japan Airlines, a highly-respected leader in aviation both in Japan and globally,” says Brian Yutko, CEO of Wisk. “Wisk and Japan Airlines share a commitment to safe, accessible transportation and to ensuring that our services provide long-term benefit to the communities that we serve. We look forward to working together to bring autonomous everyday flight to Japan and to further advancing Advanced Air Mobility in the broader APAC region.”
“We are very honored to partner with Wisk, a pioneer in autonomous eVTOL aircraft development. In Japan, the introduction of autonomous air travel is developing and we strongly feel that this partnership with Wisk is the first step towards the development of the next generation of safe air mobility in Japan,” says Ryo Tamura, CEO of JALEC.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been signed that establishes a framework for collaboration between the two companies, as well as between the two companies and the Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB), and other relevant Japanese Government agencies. This will include careful consideration of regulatory requirements, safety measures, and how the community can benefit from advanced air mobility through the use of Wisk’s 6th Generation self-flying, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
Specifically, the MOU establishes a framework for:
- Research towards launching fleet operations for Wisk’s 6th Generation taxi, including: type certification approval in Japan and maintenance, repair and overhaul requirements
- Supporting discussion with the Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) and relevant Japanese Government agencies, as appropriate, on the establishment of a Wisk operation under an Air Operators Certificate in Japan in the future
- Development of a path to a demonstration flight in Japan
- Introduction of autonomous aircraft into the Japanese national airspace system
“We are thrilled to be announcing this new partnership with Japan Airlines, a partner that so closely shares our values,” says Catherine MacGowan, Wisk’s APAC Regional Director. “Japan represents a large, densely populated market where air taxi services can provide real, positive impact for local communities. We look forward to further pursuing the potential introduction of our self-flying, all-electric air taxis in Japan, and are encouraged by the growing interest within the broader APAC region for these types of services.”
Why it’s important: Japan Airlines and Wisk share a commitment to safety, sustainability, and responsibility. This partnership represents the joining of these shared values to develop an enduring approach to the introduction of future autonomous air taxi operations that are part of the future integrated transportation layer in Japan. As a nation, Japan is heavily committed to a future with advanced air mobility as a key component of its transportation infrastructure.
Related:
Wisk Unveils World’s First Self-Flying, Four-Seat, All-Electric, Vertical Takeoff and Landing Air Taxi
Wisk has announced the latest generation of its eVTOL aircraft, the 6th in the company’s history. Generation 6, as dubbed by Wisk, will be the first-ever candidate for FAA certification of an autonomous, passenger-carrying eVTOL air taxi and its go-to-market configuration. “In 2010, we set out to find a way to skip traffic and get to our destination faster,” said...

Wisk Unveils World’s First Self-Flying, Four-Seat, All-Electric, Vertical Takeoff and Landing Air Taxi

Wisk has announced the latest generation of its eVTOL aircraft, the 6th in the company’s history. Generation 6, as dubbed by Wisk, will be the first-ever candidate for FAA certification of an autonomous, passenger-carrying eVTOL air taxi and its go-to-market configuration.
“In 2010, we set out to find a way to skip traffic and get to our destination faster,” said Gary Gysin, CEO of Wisk. “That inspiration evolved into a mission to deliver safe, everyday flight for everyone. Over the past 12 years, we’ve pursued that mission through the development of five different generations of full-scale aircraft. Our 6th Generation aircraft is the culmination of years of hard work from our industry-leading team, learnings from our previous generations of aircraft, commitment from our investors, and the evolution and advancement of technology.”
Above: Generation 6’s newly designed interior with room for 4 passengers and baggage.
Unlike many other new eVTOL firms, Wisk has designed for autonomous flight from its start and has integrated this philosophy into its technical and business strategy. New terminology for this concept of operations has needed to be created, including multi-vehicle supervisors who will act as a human interface, overseeing several flights at once with the ability to intervene if an in-flight failure is encountered.
According to the company, Wisk’s 6th Generation aircraft has been designed with a tremendous amount of thought toward safety, comfort, and overall passenger experience. Generation 6 builds upon previous Wisk prototypes and is capable of carrying 4 passengers autonomously over a distance of 90 miles at 120 knots. Generation 6 also boasts a new, upsized cabin which allows ample storage for baggage and personal carry-on items, with improved passive noise reduction.
Wisk’s 6th Generation aircraft is also designed to be affordable, with a price target of $3 per passenger per mile. If target operating costs are achieved, Generation 6 could be comparable to the price of an ground based ride-hailing service like Uber or Lyft, depending on distance and traffic.
Why it matters: Focusing on autonomy truly unlocks the scale and full potential for the broader aerial mobility industry. As the first certification candidate for a self-flying vehicle to the FAA, Wisk has an opportunity to forge unprecedented advancements. Backed by Boeing’s 100+ year history in aerospace, Wisk may use the Generation 6 to entirely change the way we fly and travel.
Boeing and Wisk Release Urban Air Mobility Concept of Operations, Lay Path for UAM Ops by 2030
Last week, Boeing and their joint venture partner Wisk released a roadmap for transitioning to a future where automated and uncrewed aircraft can safely carry passengers and cargo in urban and suburban areas. This so-called concept of operations lays out the technology, regulatory and social recommendations needed to deploy aerial mobility systems in the United States and also includes information on integration...

Boeing and Wisk Release Urban Air Mobility Concept of Operations, Lay Path for UAM Ops by 2030

Last week, Boeing and their joint venture partner Wisk released a roadmap for transitioning to a future where automated and uncrewed aircraft can safely carry passengers and cargo in urban and suburban areas.
This so-called concept of operations lays out the technology, regulatory and social recommendations needed to deploy aerial mobility systems in the United States and also includes information on integration into the National Airspace System (NAS).
“We’re working to enable a future of aerospace that is safe, sustainable and at scale. Uncrewed operations will be fundamental to realizing that vision, and we have to exceed the current safety standards for the air transportation system,” said Brian Yutko, Boeing Vice President and Chief Engineer of Sustainability & Future Mobility.

The concept of operations begins by proposing bedrock principles for urban air mobility, including that flights should be safe and affordable for everyone. Additionally, the aircraft would be automated to reduce the load on air traffic controllers and pilots, and they would fly day or night under visual or instrument flight rules, and be supported by automated onboard and ground-based systems.
The summary paper of the progression from the current state to more autonomous UAM operations features more gradual changes of the current aircraft operations schema that currently exist; for instance, initial UAM operations will have pilots onboard; mid-term, pilots will support from ground stations, responsible for 2 or 3 UAM aircraft. Long term, pilots will be responsible for an even larger fleet of aircraft. The term “human-over-the-loop” was included in the study regarding the ultimate flight control responsibilities for aircraft that’ll eventually be mostly autonomous.
Boeing and Wisk say that evolutionary and pragmatic methods will be needed to make the vision of UAM a reality. This includes the creation of new infrastructure such as ‘vertiports,’ locations where UAM aircraft can take off and land, load and unload passengers, and receive services. Additionally, while the aircraft will be automated, Boeing and Wisk recommend the creation of ‘fleet operations centers’ where ‘multi-vehicle supervisors’ will monitor flights, implement air traffic control instructions to maintain aircraft separation, and ensure safe operation of the flight.
Additionally, the roadmap also outlines the variety of industry stakeholders that are essential to a successful deployment and maturation of the ConOps proposed. Existing airlines and aviation companies, such as United, Delta, American, Boeing, and Airbus will work in conjunction with specialty UAM/aerial mobility airframers, such as Wisk, Insitu, SkyGrid, Joby, Vertical Aerospace, EmbraerX’s Eve etc to develop the UAM environment of the future.
The ConOps also provides insight into the flight planning and operationalization of an autonomous UAM framework that includes new job roles, such as fleet operations managers and supervisors. While these titles traditionally exist in airline operations, their scope and types of challenges will differ to align with that of UAM operations.
Further, additional resources will be required for pre-flight planning, reservation booking system management, market demand aggregation, among other tasks. Other key responsibilities will include in-flight supervision and traffic conflict management.
Why it’s important: Boeing and Wisk’s ConOps represents a large volume of research and coordination from multiple industry leading partners that outlines the steps of a safe deployment of UAM operations in the United States by the end of the decade. The white paper and summary add detail to key functions of the UAM industry and operational environment that are required developments in the next 8 years, prior to 2030.
For more detail on ConOps, view the following resources:
Wisk Aero Continues Global Expansion with Launch of Montreal Hub
Bay Area-based Wisk Aero is continuing its global expansion with the launch of a new engineering hub in Montreal, Canada. The hub will be dedicated to the ongoing development of its 6th generation aircraft (to be revealed later this year). Related: Wisk’s 6th Generation eVTOL revealed on CBS’s 60 Minutes Since 2010, the air taxi company has been working toward...

Wisk Aero Continues Global Expansion with Launch of Montreal Hub

Bay Area-based Wisk Aero is continuing its global expansion with the launch of a new engineering hub in Montreal, Canada. The hub will be dedicated to the ongoing development of its 6th generation aircraft (to be revealed later this year).

Related: Wisk’s 6th Generation eVTOL revealed on CBS’s 60 Minutes
Since 2010, the air taxi company has been working toward that mission by designing, developing, and testing five generations of aircraft, and now they are developing their 6th and possibly final iteration, which will have four seats. Much of the company’s work so far has been performed in “stealth mode,” staying out of the public eye, but on April 17th, the 6th generation aircraft made a public debut on the show 60 Minutes with Anderson Cooper.
Wisk is now preparing to launch a new hub with existing Montreal-based personnel and intends to grow this presence to approximately thirty employees by the end of the year. Wisk has been experiencing rapid growth, driven by a tremendous increase in interest for its mission and technology. The company’s new Montreal hub is part of a broader effort to further expand its global team of industry-leading talent around the world.
“We are excited about the launch of our new Montreal hub,” said Sebastien Vigneron, Sr. Vice President of Engineering and Programs. “Canada’s forward-looking approach to aviation and interest in AAM, combined with its pool of experienced aerospace talent, make it an ideal location for Wisk as we expand our global footprint. This expansion highlights the increasing global interest in our mission to bring safe, everyday flight to everyone, and we look forward to continuing that mission with support from our new Montreal-based hub.”
The announcement of the new Montreal hub follows Wisk’s recent expansion into Australia. In addition to Montreal and its headquarters and facilities around the San Francisco Bay Area, Wisk now has a presence in Atlanta (Georgia), New Zealand, and Australia.
Why it’s important: Wisk has accumulated over a decade of experience and over 1550 test flights, and in doing so is shaping the future of daily commutes and urban travel, safely and sustainably. Expansion of operations overseas is integral to the company – and the aerial mobility industry, in general – achieving economies of scale. This will ultimately lead to commercial services becoming a financially feasible endeavor for operators and pricing to be a competitive level for global consumers.
Source // Wisk press release
Wisk’s 6th Generation eVTOL revealed on CBS’s 60 Minutes
Wisk, the Bay Area air taxi company backed by Boeing and Kitty Hawk, recently had the opportunity to share its vision with Anderson Cooper on an episode of 60 Minutes. The nationwide televised episode also revealed that the newest iteration of Wisk’s eVTOL aircraft – the vehicle for which Wisk plans to obtain type certification from the FAA – will...

Wisk’s 6th Generation eVTOL revealed on CBS’s 60 Minutes

Wisk, the Bay Area air taxi company backed by Boeing and Kitty Hawk, recently had the opportunity to share its vision with Anderson Cooper on an episode of 60 Minutes. The nationwide televised episode also revealed that the newest iteration of Wisk’s eVTOL aircraft – the vehicle for which Wisk plans to obtain type certification from the FAA – will have four seats.
Watch the episode here.

Wisk’s mission is to “deliver safe, all-electric, autonomous, everyday flight for everyone.” Since 2010, the air taxi company has been working toward that mission by designing, developing, and testing five generations of aircraft, and now they are developing their 6th and possibly final iteration, which will have four seats. Much of the company’s work so far has been performed in “stealth mode,” staying out of the public eye, but on April 17th, the 6th generation aircraft made a public debut on the show 60 Minutes with Anderson Cooper.
The TV debut demonstrated many of the key features and changes expected to be made in the latest vehicle iteration. These include a larger seat configuration that provides more space for passengers and baggage, while ensuring that the aircraft is accessible for those with disabilities. In addition to these benefits, the 6th iteration aircraft’s larger capacity opens the door to future use cases, such as cargo transportation or emergency rescue. According to Wisk, higher payloads and cabin volume will better support other applications and use cases long term.
Also featured in the 60 Minutes episode were California-based Joby Aviation and Texas-based LIFT Aircraft, as well as cameos from Beta Technologies, Archer Aviation, EHang, and Lilium, among others.
Related: Wisk and Skyports Partner to Define Autonomous AAM Infrastructure Operations
Why it’s important: As phrased in Wisk’s latest blog post, “the day in which you’ll be able to skip traffic by flying over it in an air taxi is approaching and we want the world to be ready.” Wisk has notoriously deflected questions about its newest eVTOL design up to this point, but this nationwide televised reveal of its aircraft marks the start of the company revealing further details of its 6th generation aircraft later this year. Moreover, this appearance on a mainstream media source will excite viewers about what the near future holds for the advancement of regional transportation and aerial mobility, increasing the likelihood of public acceptance and buy-in.
Wisk and Skyports Partner to Define Autonomous AAM Infrastructure Operations
Wisk Aero, the Bay-Area California based Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company, is partnering with Skyports to integrate autonomous, electric, vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft operations at vertiports and other ground-based infrastructure. The partnership marks a significant milestone as a collaboration between a vertiport developer-operator and an autonomous eVTOL developer in the U.S. While AAM services will initially launch with...

Wisk and Skyports Partner to Define Autonomous AAM Infrastructure Operations

Wisk Aero, the Bay-Area California based Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company, is partnering with Skyports to integrate autonomous, electric, vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft operations at vertiports and other ground-based infrastructure. The partnership marks a significant milestone as a collaboration between a vertiport developer-operator and an autonomous eVTOL developer in the U.S.
While AAM services will initially launch with piloted vehicles, Wisk, Skyports, and the broader industry recognize that autonomy is the key to unlocking the scalability, accessibility, and affordability needed to realize the full potential and total addressable market of AAM. Wisk and Skyports are defining autonomous eVTOL vertiport operations in order to ensure that vertiports and other ground-based infrastructure will be capable of supporting the autonomous operations needed for long-term success.
The partnership is evaluating core areas, including physical aircraft considerations (functions, capabilities, requirements, interfaces, and support), passenger accommodation, schedule management, ground operations management, final approach and takeoff management, navigational aids, situational awareness, contingency management, and airspace design.
The partnership has released a first-of-its-kind Concept of Operations (ConOps), which identifies how autonomous eVTOL aircraft and operators will integrate with vertiports, including interactions with Providers of Services for UAM (PSUs). The ConOps outlines the upgrades, retrofits, and procedure changes that will be required to accommodate safe operations for autonomous eVTOL aircraft. It also defines the journey of an autonomous eVTOL aircraft and its relationship to UAM-specific, aircraft-agnostic infrastructure and the necessary systems and interactions between the aircraft, the aircraft’s fleet operator, and the vertiport.
Related: Wisk Aero to Bring Advanced Air Mobility to Southern California

“We are excited to partner with Skyports, a leader in vertiports and AAM infrastructure,” said Gary Gysin, CEO of Wisk. “It is critical that future operations are autonomous for safety, scalability, and affordability. With this ConOps, Wisk and Skyports are helping to define those future operations while ensuring the long-term success and full potential of this industry.”
“It’s important that infrastructure built today can accommodate the aircraft of tomorrow,” said Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports. “We are thrilled to be partnered with Wisk as they push the bounds of aircraft systems innovation. The ConOps and our continued work on the development of vehicle-agnostic vertiports and ground-based infrastructure will ensure that this industry is well prepared to safely integrate autonomous operations in the future.”
Why it’s important: To date, the AAM industry has been heavily focused on the development of aircraft and associated technology. Today’s announcement and the release of the ConOps highlights the critical importance of evaluating operational considerations for infrastructure and other ecosystem elements as the industry approaches the launch of both piloted and autonomous operations.
Wisk Aero to Bring Advanced Air Mobility to Southern California
Wisk Aero, a Bay-Area Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company backed by Boeing, has partnered with the City of Long Beach, California through its Long Beach Economic Partnership (LBEP) to create an AAM working group focused on evaluating, planning, and implementing AAM services, with an emphasis on autonomy. Through the partnership, Wisk and the LBEP will conduct an Economic Impact study to measure...

Wisk Aero to Bring Advanced Air Mobility to Southern California

Wisk Aero, a Bay-Area Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company backed by Boeing, has partnered with the City of Long Beach, California through its Long Beach Economic Partnership (LBEP) to create an AAM working group focused on evaluating, planning, and implementing AAM services, with an emphasis on autonomy. Through the partnership, Wisk and the LBEP will conduct an Economic Impact study to measure potential economic benefits to the community and overall impact from AAM operations in Southern California.

Over the next two years, the new working group will examine four key areas to evaluate the opportunities and impacts that AAM will present for the city of Long Beach. These areas include an analysis of the economic impact and workforce development, community acceptance and outreach, integration of autonomous AAM into city transportation plans, and federal and state government funding opportunities.
With support from Wisk, LBEP will coordinate the development of an Economic Impact Study that will be conducted by the Cal State Long Beach (CSULB) Office of Economic Research. The study will estimate the annual economic impact of future AAM operations in Southern California and other regional state economies. The results of the study are expected to be completed and released later this year.
“We are excited to work with the City of Long Beach and LBEP in this unique partnership,” said Gary Gysin, CEO of Wisk. “With its rich aerospace past, current resurgence via Space Beach, and its central position in the LA Metro area, Long Beach is an ideal city for all-electric, autonomous urban flight opportunities. Through this partnership, Long Beach has the opportunity to be one of the first cities to realize the economic and environmental benefits of AAM, as well as to lead Southern California, and the United States, in autonomous, all-electric AAM.”
“Aerospace innovation has always been a strong part of Long Beach history,” says Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia. “We have produced some of the world’s most modern aircraft, are leading in the space economy, and will now be home to new technologies in Advanced Air Mobility. We look forward to our partnership with Wisk and are proud of our local workforce who are educated, trained, and poised to make progress on these innovations.”
“Long Beach has long been a center of aerospace culture and capabilities,” said Randal Hernandez, co-chair of the working group, immediate past chair of the Long Beach Economic Partnership and former chairman of the City of Long Beach’sEconomic Development Commission. “Autonomous, all-electric AAM represents the next revolution in commercial aviation and promises significant economic benefits with minimal environmental impact. We are proud to partner with an AAM leader like Wisk to further explore the benefits that AAM can bring to the City of Long Beach, the southern California region, and the state as a whole.”
Why it’s important: Wisk has recently made major strides in the development of Advanced Aerial Mobility, as demonstrated by this partnership and by Boeing’s additional $495 Million investment into Wisk. Southern California has historically been an innovation hub for the aerospace industry, making it a well-suited location for launching AAM operations. The sprawling population of Los Angeles and Orange County also makes these areas an ideal proving ground for initial air taxi operations, where the demand for flights should be abundant.
Credit // Wisk press release
Boeing Invests an additional $495 Million into Wisk
Boeing this week announced it is investing an additional $495 million USD into eVTOL company Wisk Aero. The news is an important signal of Boeing’s confidence in the future of aerial mobility, and provides Wisk with extra capital needed to complete its lengthy and costly flight test and certification campaign. The California-based firm is a joint venture between aircraft developer...

Boeing Invests an additional $495 Million into Wisk

Boeing this week announced it is investing an additional $495 million USD into eVTOL company Wisk Aero. The news is an important signal of Boeing’s confidence in the future of aerial mobility, and provides Wisk with extra capital needed to complete its lengthy and costly flight test and certification campaign.

The California-based firm is a joint venture between aircraft developer Kitty Hawk and Boeing, and has seen several prototype iterations over the years. Its ‘Cora’ aircraft has now completed over 1,500 flight tests. Wisk hopes to initially pursue certification from the FAA before seeking type certificates in other jurisdictions.
“With this investment, we are reconfirming our belief in Wisk’s business and the importance of their work in pioneering all-electric, AI-driven, autonomous capability for the aerospace industry. Autonomy is the key to unlocking scale across all AAM applications, from passenger to cargo and beyond,” Boeing Chief Strategy Officer Marc Allen shared in a statement.
“That’s why straight-to-autonomy is a core first principle. Boeing and Wisk have been at the forefront of AAM innovation for more than a decade, and will continue to lead in the years ahead.”
Why it matters: With Boeing’s latest investment, Wisk is near the top of the industry with capital on hand as many manufacturers are turning the corner from concepts to actual flight test programs and certification. Although Wisk has been quiet to report on vehicle technical specifications or anticipated project timelines, it appears the company is well positioned to compete in the aerial mobility space against other industry leaders.
Wisk displays autonomous eVTOL aircraft at CoMotion LA
Wisk, the urban air mobility company based out of San Francisco and New Zealand, displayed its fifth generation, autonomous, electric vertical take off and landing (eVTOL) air taxi publicly for the first time during CoMotion LA (Nov. 16 – 18). Upon arriving at the conference, Wisk tweeted the following photos of its aircraft: Hello, #LosAngeles. We've arrived. Curious about #CoMotionLA?...

Wisk displays autonomous eVTOL aircraft at CoMotion LA

Wisk, the urban air mobility company based out of San Francisco and New Zealand, displayed its fifth generation, autonomous, electric vertical take off and landing (eVTOL) air taxi publicly for the first time during CoMotion LA (Nov. 16 – 18). Upon arriving at the conference, Wisk tweeted the following photos of its aircraft:
Hello, #LosAngeles. We've arrived. Curious about #CoMotionLA? For more behind-the-scenes content, check out our IG stories! https://t.co/yQhldTvrrx pic.twitter.com/C45Xr5mHnS
— Wisk (@WiskAero) November 15, 2021
“We’re extremely excited to be an Impact partner for CoMotion again this year,” said Wisk’s Chief Marketing Officer, Becky Tanner, who presented a keynote entitled “Those Who Leap” at the conference. “Throughout history, there have been advancements that have fundamentally changed our lives and pushed us into the future with a leap. We are on the edge of another great leap- one that will take us from congested, ground-based, fossil-fuel-driven transportation, to cleaner, all-electric, everyday flight.”
CoMotion LA will be the first time that Wisk has publicly displayed its eVTOL air taxi in the U.S. To date, the company’s fleet of fifth generation aircraft has been reserved exclusively for testing purposes and has been accessible to the broader public only through flight videos and photos. CoMotion LA marks the start of an enhanced public engagement effort, including both demonstrations and displays, designed to bring stakeholders along on the journey, see firsthand the safety of the technology, and experience the future of mobility.
Tanner added:
“We are incredibly excited to be displaying our autonomous eVTOL air taxi for the first time in the U.S., and to kick off our broader public engagement effort. We understand that the journey to everyday flight for everyone is not one that we can take alone and we are proud to share with the public what we get the privilege to experience every day.”
Why it’s important: Wisk is focused on delivering safe, everyday flight for everyone. Since 2010, the company has successfully designed and developed five generations of eVTOL aircraft and has completed more than 1,500 test flights. The CoMotion LA conference provided a great medium for Wisk to publicize the progress it has made on its current prototype and allude to what can be expected in its sixth generation aircraft.
Wisk and BLADE Partner for Key UAM Routes
Aerial mobility developer Wisk has officially announced a partnership with BLADE Urban Air Mobility to provide and operate up to 30 eVTOL aircraft on key routes. Wisk, originally founded from Larry Page’s Kitty Hawk, is developer of the all-electric, autonomous Cora aircraft, which has already conducted hundreds of flight tests, and has partnered with the likes of Boeing and Air New...

Wisk and BLADE Partner for Key UAM Routes

Aerial mobility developer Wisk has officially announced a partnership with BLADE Urban Air Mobility to provide and operate up to 30 eVTOL aircraft on key routes. Wisk, originally founded from Larry Page’s Kitty Hawk, is developer of the all-electric, autonomous Cora aircraft, which has already conducted hundreds of flight tests, and has partnered with the likes of Boeing and Air New Zealand.
Blade and Wisk intend to deploy the Cora eVTOL aircraft on short distance routes between BLADE’s dedicated terminals. Wisk will maintain ownership and operating rights of the vehicles and has agreed to flight hour minimums with BLADE.
In addition to the announcement, the two companies have agreed to create a taskforce that will research the deployment of technologies necessary to expedite aircraft charging and implement next-generation air traffic management. The partnership combines Wisk’s technical expertise in vehicle design and operations with BLADE’s six years of operations experience in helicopter aerial mobility.
“We look forward to working with Wisk to help accelerate Blade’s transition from conventional rotorcraft to safe, quiet, emission-free Electric Vertical Aircraft,” said Rob Wiesenthal, CEO of Blade.
“This arrangement validates that UAM is the future of mobility,” said Gary Gysin, CEO of Wisk. “To date, we have been focused on developing an aircraft and customer experience that is efficient, accessible, and — most importantly — safe. The combination of our expertise as an autonomous eVTOL aircraft manufacturer and operator, with the operational expertise of Blade, will help usher in an even greater level of safety and service.”
“The Wisk-Blade arrangement is a perfect fit for our asset light model,” said Will Heyburn, CFO and Head of Corporate Development for Blade. “Backed by Boeing’s deep aerospace experience, Wisk will own, operate and maintain their aircraft as part of our network, allowing Blade to focus on delivering a great experience to our fliers.”
Why it matters: Through this partnership, Wisk will become one of the first eVTOL manufacturers to reach commercial operation in the U.S, by utilizing BLADE’s platform and existing business and operations infrastructure. BLADE conversely benefits by leveraging eVTOLs as an early adopter, with less risk than being a developer, since Wisk will maintain ownership and day-to-day operation of the vehicles. Notably, this is BLADE’s second eVTOL developer partnership, closely following a deal with Beta Technologies last month.
Source: Wisk Press Release
Wisk Proceeds with Transport Trial in New Zealand
Wisk, the aerospace company currently developing the eVTOL aircraft called the Cora, has proceeded with a “Transport Trial” to advance autonomous flight in New Zealand. In addition, Wisk will be integrating Insitu Pacific Pty Ltd, an unmanned aerial systems developer and Boeing subsidiary into their program. Integrating Insitu into the Transport Trial will allow Wisk to use Boeing’s expertise and...

Wisk Proceeds with Transport Trial in New Zealand

Wisk, the aerospace company currently developing the eVTOL aircraft called the Cora, has proceeded with a “Transport Trial” to advance autonomous flight in New Zealand. In addition, Wisk will be integrating Insitu Pacific Pty Ltd, an unmanned aerial systems developer and Boeing subsidiary into their program. Integrating Insitu into the Transport Trial will allow Wisk to use Boeing’s expertise and advanced technology to the project, according to Wisk’s press release.
According to Anna Kominik, Asia Pacific Region Director for Wisk, “New Zealand presents a unique opportunity and we are immensely proud to have been recognized by the New Zealand Government as the first airspace integration industry partner. New Zealand’s focus on decarbonizing its economy as part of the electric transport evolution directly aligns with Wisk’s mission to deliver safe, everyday flight for everyone through effective, accessible and sustainable urban air mobility solutions.”
Wisk’s Transport Trial is part of New Zealand’s Airspace Integration Trial Program (AITP), which entails testing and demonstrating the integration of unmanned aircraft into airspace. Along with multiple government agencies and New Zealand’s Airways Corporation, Wisk will be performing flight tests, simulation work, and data analysis. The first phase of the Trial will focus on gathering and analyzing this data in order to support integrating eVTOL aircraft into the airspace system, according to a Wisk representative.
According to Gary Gysin, CEO of Wisk, “Wisk has always seen the distinct advantages of New Zealand, including the country’s globally respected Civil Aviation Authority and flexibility for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), These factors, combined with the advantages of testing and operating in a relatively un-congested airspace and the innovative culture of early adoption, makes New Zealand uniquely positioned as a leader for autonomous UAM integration trials.”
“The aim of the Transport Trial, which is part of the New Zealand government’s, broader Airspace Integration Trial Program (AITP), is to safely evaluate, test, and demonstrate the integration of unmanned aircraft into existing airspace,” the representative for Wisk said. “The goal is to provide robust data that can be used by Governments, ANSP, and Civil Aviation Authorities to advance standards globally.”
“We are not providing details on the specifics around this yet,” the representative said. “However, it is important to stress that the Transport Trial is platform agnostic as its goal is to advance autonomous passenger transport in New Zealand – and other jurisdictions – as well as inform/support other trials in the AITP, focused around cargo delivery, agricultural services, and hazard management and monitoring services. This is part of our recognition that the operating ecosystem is as important as a certified aircraft.”
Why it’s important: Wisk presents their latest progress on their development of the Cora in conjunction with the New Zealand government. Thanks to Boeing’s continued firm commitment to the aerial mobility sector. Additionally, with the promising outlook for New Zealand’s lockdown situation, Wisk looks to take full advantage of the potential early return for the Cora.
Source // Aviation Today
NASA, Wisk Partner to Establish Autonomous Aerial Mobility Standards
In a new partnership announced on November 16th, Wisk and NASA are partnering to advance autonomous aerial mobility. NASA has undertaken a high-level effort to lead the Advanced Air Mobility National Campaign which will aid in laying frameworks for advanced mobility of the future for multi-use aerial mobility operations. Additionally, the partnership will help to curb some of the challenges that...

NASA, Wisk Partner to Establish Autonomous Aerial Mobility Standards

In a new partnership announced on November 16th, Wisk and NASA are partnering to advance autonomous aerial mobility. NASA has undertaken a high-level effort to lead the Advanced Air Mobility National Campaign which will aid in laying frameworks for advanced mobility of the future for multi-use aerial mobility operations. Additionally, the partnership will help to curb some of the challenges that the industry faces with development of standards and certification projects.
Reportedly, special emphasis is also being placed on National Campaign safety scenarios: autonomous flight, contingency management, including collision avoidance, and flight path management.
Robert Pearce, Associate Administrator for NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, said, “Wisk brings a tremendous amount of experience in eVTOL vehicle development, automation technologies, and flight test, and combines it with a safety-first mindset towards advancing autonomous flight. NASA believes our partnership with Wisk will help accelerate the realization of exciting new Advanced Air Mobility missions.”

NASA’s Advanced Aerial Mobility Initiative aims to accelerate aerial mobility progress. Image Credit // NASA
NASA and Wisk will collaborate to define future means of advancing the aerial mobility industry – while new certification standards might not be defined until they’re officially confirmed by regulating bodies such as the FAA or EASA, the joint venture will allow creation of common engineering design and development standards in order to establish common minimum operable products within the industry, and hopefully propel those that already meet or exceed standards even further. Some of these standards definition areas include flight path management, airspace integration, minimum performance requirements, and general flight procedures.
“Our partnership with NASA will bring together our market-leading expertise in autonomy with the unmatched technical capabilities of NASA,” said Gary Gysin, CEO of Wisk. “The frameworks and recommendations developed through this collaboration will not only advance autonomous passenger flight but also increase the overall safety of aviation.”
Why it’s important: Wisk’s partnership with NASA is unique in that it represents a high-visibility public private partnership to advance aerial mobility between a government organization and a private company. This partnership affords both participants the opportunity to leverage the other’s resources while also mutually benefiting the entire aerial mobility industry. Such partnerships in large scale commercial aerospace are very uncommon at present since the amount of shared intellectual property would lead to eradication of most competitive advantages. While it remains to be seen the level of data disclosure that will accompany this collaboration, hopefully the benefits of NASA and Wisk’s work are able to cast a broad reach among other advanced autonomous aerial mobility development efforts.
Source // PR News Wire
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