Autonomous aviation company Wisk Aero has successfully completed the first flight of its Generation 6 aircraft, marking a significant milestone in its effort to deliver the first FAA-certified autonomous passenger-carrying eVTOL to market in the United States. The Generation 6 aircraft performed its initial vertical takeoff, hover, and stabilized flight maneuvers at Wisk’s flight test facility in Hollister, California.
The Generation 6 aircraft represents the culmination of five generations of eVTOL aircraft and more than 1,750 test flights. This particular aircraft serves as the subject of Wisk’s ongoing type certification application with the Federal Aviation Administration. According to the company, Wisk is the only organization to have designed, built, and flown six generations of eVTOL aircraft, positioning the Generation 6 as the first-ever candidate for an FAA-certified commercial autonomous passenger aircraft in the U.S.
Generation 6 Technical Capabilities
The Generation 6 aircraft is all-electric and autonomous, incorporating advanced technologies across multiple systems. Wisk’s operational model utilizes dedicated human oversight from a ground-based Multi-Vehicle Supervisor, which the company describes as a pioneering approach for achieving high levels of safety, scalability, and affordability. The aircraft is designed to meet or exceed today’s rigorous commercial aviation safety standards.
The successful first hover flight validates the Generation 6’s core flight systems and confirms the readiness of critical subsystems including flight controls, sensing, navigation, mission management, and electric power integration. Following this initial achievement, Wisk has initiated an extensive flight test program structured in deliberate phases. Wisk has identified Houston, Los Angeles, and Miami as launch markets for the Generation 6 aircraft.
Planned Testing Progression
The initial testing phase concentrates on establishing the hover regime, with focus on takeoffs, landings, and low-speed stability validation. Subsequent phases will expand testing to include higher speeds and altitudes, with complex maneuvers such as longitudinal transition, lateral transition, and pedal turns.
In parallel with flight testing, Wisk continues developing autonomy technologies, including detect-and-avoid and navigation systems. The company is collaborating with the FAA, NASA, SkyGrid, and other organizations to support airspace efficiency.
“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,” said Wisk CEO Sebastien Vigneron. “Seeing Gen 6 take flight is an exciting moment for Wisk and the future of aviation.”
Brian Yutko, VP of Product Development at Boeing Commercial Airplanes and Chairman of the Board at Wisk, added, “The team at Wisk has built advanced technologies across flight controls, sensing, navigation, mission management, electric power, systems integration, and many others for a product that is designed to meet a rigorous safety case.”
About Wisk
Wisk, a wholly owned subsidiary of Boeing, is an autonomous aviation company dedicated to creating a future for air travel that elevates people, communities, and aviation. Learn more about Wisk at wisk.aero
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Ian McNabb is a journalist focusing on drone technology and lifestyle content at Dronelife. He is based between Boston and NH and, when not writing, enjoys hiking and Boston area sports.