Summary
- Wisk becomes the primary air taxi company to offer public flights in LA, conducting autonomous passenger flights at Long Beach airport.
- The tests aim to construct on the 1,700 flights already accomplished, with Wisk’s fifth Generation eVTOL aircraft, ‘Cora’.
- Wisk’s partnership with Boeing and the Long Beach Economic Forum highlights the potential economic advantages and job creation of advanced air mobility.
eVTOL manufacturer Wisk has develop into the primary air taxi company to offer public flights within the City of Angels, with autonomous passenger flights tested at Long Beach airport. The tests look to construct on the 1,700 already accomplished. These test flights allowed Wisk to conduct independent operations alongside other aircraft operations in real-world environments.
Photo: Wisk Aero
During Long Beach’s Festival of Flight, the multi-transition service was facilitated by Wisk’s ‘Cora,’ a fifth Generation eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft. This marks the second public demonstration of autonomous eVTOL fiex wing aircraft after Wisk debuted at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in July earlier this 12 months.
Hosting the mayor and other state officials
In the course of the tests, Wisk took this chance to host the Mayor of Long Beach, alongside other state officials from across Los Angeles, Orange County, and Boeing, to encourage further discussion on advanced air mobility.
Mayor of Long Beach, Rex Richardson, reiterated how ‘Long Beach has been a frontrunner in aviation for a long time’ and that working with Wisk and Boeing to integrate secure, quiet, and environmentally friendly transportation is well suited to the center class in the world.
Chief Executive Officer at Wisk, Brian Yutko, couldn’t contain his excitement, as noted of their media statement:
“Autonomous flight is feasible today and it’s happening now in LA, Los Angeles is a goal launch city for a lot of in our industry and we’re extremely proud to be the primary air taxi company to fly in LA – and to have done so with an autonomous aircraft. We’re fortunate to have the partnership and support of Boeing throughout the world to assist construct relationships and advance our mission. We’re thankful to Long Beach for his or her ongoing partnership and support as we make secure, on a regular basis, autonomous flight a reality for Southern California, and the world.”
Report from the Long Beach Economic Forum
Last 12 months, Wisk took the initiative to partner with the Long Beach Economic Forum, which looks to ascertain focused implementation and research into advanced air mobility for the town of Long Beach and the broader region. The economic advantages are also under the highlight, with Wisk sponsoring a study proving that 20 vertiports for autonomous flights could generate an extra $423 million in economic output and a couple of,133 recent jobs. The report, released by the Long Beach Economic Partnership, noted:
“The vertiport network that’s described and analyzed on this report offers a brand new transportation technology that has the potential to extend mobility for residents of the Southern California region, while also potentially alleviating congestion and contributing to the region’s goals of economic development and sustainability. This study estimates the economic advantages of the development, rollout, and expansion of such a system.”
Photo: Wisk Aero
Across the USA, Deloitte has estimated that this market may very well be valued at $115 billion inside 12 years and create 280,000 high-paying jobs.
Sources: Long Beach Economic Forum Report, Wisk Aero – AAM, Wisk Aero – Long Beach