Wisk Achieves Major Milestone with First Flight of Generation 6 Autonomous eVTOL
Wisk Aero, a leading autonomous aviation company, announced today the successful completion of the first flight of its Generation 6 (Gen 6) electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. This milestone represents a pivotal step in Wisk’s ongoing mission to deliver the first FAA-certified, autonomous, passenger-carrying eVTOL aircraft in the United States.
Notably, Wisk is the only company globally to have designed, built, and flown six generations of autonomous eVTOL aircraft, reflecting more than a decade of continuous innovation in electric propulsion, autonomous flight control, and advanced aviation technologies.
First Flight in Hollister, California
The historic flight took place at Wisk’s dedicated flight test facility in Hollister, California, where the Gen 6 aircraft successfully executed its initial vertical takeoff, hover, and stabilized flight maneuvers. This achievement validates the aircraft’s core flight systems, marking a critical first step in a comprehensive flight test program.
The Generation 6 aircraft is currently the subject of Wisk’s FAA type certification application, a crucial process in the company’s effort to bring safe, autonomous passenger flight to U.S. airspace. The flight not only demonstrates the aircraft’s readiness for testing but also lays the groundwork for further certification milestones leading to commercial deployment.
Building on a Legacy of Innovation
The Gen 6 eVTOL leverages insights from Wisk’s previous five generations of aircraft and more than 1,750 test flights. The knowledge gained from these earlier models informs every aspect of the Gen 6 design, from aerodynamic efficiency and propulsion systems to autonomous control algorithms and safety redundancies.
This aircraft is Wisk’s first FAA-certified commercial autonomous passenger aircraft candidate, and initial target markets for deployment include major urban centers such as Houston, Los Angeles, and Miami. The successful first hover flight signals a major advancement toward Wisk’s vision of providing safe, scalable, and affordable autonomous air mobility for everyday transportation.
Executive Perspectives
Sebastien Vigneron, CEO of Wisk, highlighted the significance of the milestone:
This first flight is the moment our team has been working toward, and it is a powerful demonstration of the work, expertise, and commitment that have gone into the Gen 6 program. Seeing Gen 6 take flight is an exciting moment for Wisk and the future of aviation. It reaffirms our belief in autonomy, and we are even more energized to continue the journey to bring safe, everyday flight to everyone.
Brian Yutko, Vice President of Product Development at Boeing Commercial Airplanes and Chairman of the Board at Wisk, emphasized the technical achievement:
We are proud to see Wisk achieve this milestone. The team has developed advanced technologies across flight controls, sensing, navigation, mission management, electric propulsion, and systems integration. These technologies support a rigorous safety case for the aircraft’s concept of operations and provide valuable insights for Boeing as we continue to explore the future of aviation together.
Autonomous, All-Electric, and Safety-Focused
The Gen 6 aircraft is fully electric and autonomous, incorporating a design philosophy centered on safety, scalability, and affordability. A key feature of Wisk’s operational model is dedicated human oversight from a ground-based Multi-Vehicle Supervisor, which allows operators to monitor multiple autonomous aircraft simultaneously, ensuring high levels of safety and operational reliability.
Wisk maintains an active certification program with the FAA, designing its aircraft to meet or exceed current commercial aviation safety standards. Every flight contributes to data collection, system validation, and safety assurance, reinforcing the company’s commitment to delivering reliable autonomous air mobility.
Rigorous Flight Testing Program
With the first hover flight successfully completed, Wisk is now executing an extensive flight test program aimed at validating the Gen 6 design, simulation models, and system performance.
The initial testing phase focuses on hover and low-speed maneuvers, including:
- Vertical takeoffs and landings
- Low-speed stability testing
- Controlled hover and lateral translations
Subsequent phases will expand the flight envelope to include higher speeds, increased altitudes, and complex maneuvers such as:
- Longitudinal transitions from vertical to forward flight
- Pedal turns and lateral translations
- Dynamic response testing under variable environmental conditions
Each test provides crucial data for validating control laws, structural loads, aircraft dynamics, and energy management systems. The iterative process allows engineers to refine flight algorithms and ensure the aircraft operates safely under a wide range of conditions.
Advancing Autonomy Technologies
In parallel with flight testing, Wisk is continuing to develop and mature its autonomy technologies, including:
- Detect-and-avoid systems for collision prevention
- Navigation and mission management algorithms for precise flight control
- Integration with next-generation air traffic management platforms, in collaboration with FAA, NASA, and SkyGrid
These technologies are critical to Wisk’s vision of urban air mobility (UAM), where autonomous aircraft can safely operate in congested airspace, providing a reliable alternative to ground transportation in major cities.
A Vision for Everyday Autonomous Flight
The achievement of Gen 6’s first flight is more than a technical milestone; it represents progress toward a new mode of transportation that could redefine urban mobility. Wisk’s mission is to deliver safe, efficient, and accessible autonomous passenger flight, enabling cities to reduce congestion, shorten travel times, and improve connectivity.
By advancing autonomous aviation in the U.S., Wisk is also contributing to the country’s leadership in aerospace innovation, while establishing safety standards and operational practices that could influence global autonomous flight adoption.
Strategic and Commercial Implications
The Gen 6 aircraft sets the stage for a transformative impact on urban transportation. With the ability to operate autonomously and electric-powered, it offers a sustainable alternative to traditional modes of transportation. Key advantages include:
- Reduced emissions and environmental impact compared to ground-based vehicles
- Scalability through autonomous fleet operations and Multi-Vehicle Supervision
- Operational efficiency via optimized flight planning and energy management
- Enhanced safety through rigorous testing, sensor integration, and FAA collaboration
Initial markets such as Houston, Los Angeles, and Miami were selected due to population density, traffic congestion, and strong infrastructure for UAM deployment, enabling Wisk to maximize the benefits of autonomous eVTOL technology in real-world environments.
Collaborative Efforts and Industry Partnerships
Wisk’s progress is supported by strategic partnerships with aviation leaders and regulatory bodies. Collaborations with Boeing, NASA, and SkyGrid help accelerate technology development and regulatory engagement. These partnerships ensure that Wisk’s autonomous flight systems are aligned with industry best practices, capable of seamless integration into existing airspace, and compliant with stringent safety standards.
As Wisk continues to refine the Gen 6 aircraft and expand flight testing, the company remains committed to achieving FAA certification and moving toward commercial operations. Future milestones will include:
- Advanced forward-flight testing and high-speed transitions
- Expanded operational scenarios under diverse weather conditions
- Continuous validation of autonomy systems and safety protocols
- Integration with urban airspace traffic management frameworks
By executing a disciplined testing and certification program, Wisk aims to demonstrate that autonomous, all-electric eVTOL aircraft can become a safe, scalable, and efficient component of the transportation ecosystem.
The successful first flight of Wisk’s Generation 6 autonomous eVTOL marks a landmark achievement in the development of urban air mobility and autonomous aviation. By combining decades of expertise, advanced technologies, and rigorous testing, Wisk is paving the way for safer, faster, and more accessible air transportation.
With FAA certification in progress, ongoing flight testing, and continued collaboration with aerospace leaders, Wisk is advancing toward a future where autonomous flight is an everyday reality, strengthening U.S. leadership in aviation innovation and offering a transformative solution for cities worldwide.
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