![]()
Wisk Aero has become the first eVTOL air taxi company to conduct flights in Los Angeles County, expanding its leadership to the area by flying the region's first public air taxi flights and through discussions with local and city officials. @globalair.com Wisk Aero at 2023 NBAA-BACE ??? #nbaa23 #nbaabace #nbaabace2023 #nbaa2023 #aviation #aircraft #aircraftdisplay #aviationconvention #bizav #businessaviation #aviationtiktok #bizavtiktok ? original sound - GlobalAir.com
The company became the first of its kind to fly in the Los Angeles area when it launched a series of test flights at the Long Beach Airport (LGB). The test flights allowed Wisk to conduct autonomous flight operations in a real-world environment and alongside other passenger airline operations. The first flight program was concluded with the first public demonstration of an eVTOL air taxi flight in the region during Long Beach's Festival of Flight. The multi-transition flight was performed using Wisk's 5th Generation Cora autonomous eVTOL aircraft, demonstrating the safety of autonomous passenger flight. The event brought together the Mayor of Long Beach as well as local and state officials from the Los Angeles region including Orange County and Boeing leadership."Autonomous flight is possible today and it's happening now in LA," Wisk CEO Brian Yutko said. "Los Angeles is a target launch city for many in our industry and we are extremely proud to be the first air taxi company to fly in LA - and to have done so with an autonomous aircraft. We are fortunate to have the partnership and support of Boeing throughout the area to help build relationships and advance our mission. We are thankful to Long Beach for their ongoing partnership and support as we make safe, everyday, autonomous flight a reality for Southern California, and the world."
The company began building its presence in the Los Angeles area in 2022 when it announced a partnership with Long Beach through the city's Long Beach Economic Partnership, which focused on evaluating, planning and implementing AAM in Long Beach. The LBEP focuses on integrating AAM in the area as a part of a larger, regional network with a focus on autonomous flight. Recently, Wisk sponsored the research on the economic impact of AAM in the region, conducted by California State University in Long Beach. The study found that both users and non-users would enjoy the benefits of AAM integration and its presence would generate jobs, labor income and stimulate the economy.
Wisk made history in July with the world's first-ever public demonstration of an autonomous eVTOL fixed-wing aircraft during EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The monumental flight proved that all-electric taxis can be safe, quiet and provide value for aviation and local communities. Wisk also recently brought autonomous flight to Washington D.C. for the 2023 U.S. Chamber of Commerce Global Aerospace Summit in September. The company brought eVTOL air taxi mockups to display and joined industry leaders to discuss the future of AAM. Wisk also had their 6th generation aircraft on display at 2023 NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas.RELATED STORY:5 Minutes with Wisk Aero, discussing the autonomous eVTOL
"I am proud to see the future of flight becoming a reality in Long Beach," Mayor Rex Richardson said. "Long Beach has been a leader in aviation for decades and those careers helped build and sustain the middle class here for generations. I am looking forward to working with Wisk and Boeing to create good jobs and integrating a safe, quiet, and environmentally responsible transportation option in Long Beach."