Boeing's bet on autonomous flight pays off as Wisk Gen 6 achieves first hover

Aircraft manufacturer Boeing has successfully completed its first autonomous test flight with its Wisk Gen 6 aircraft.

The Gen 6 electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, aka eVTOL, took to the runway at the company’s test facility in California and wowed bosses by performing a vertical takeoff and several flight maneuvers.

Now, the CEO has revealed more about the company’s big plans, with the eVTOL set to be the first of its kind.

The 45 second test flight is just the start for Gen 6, as more tests have been announced to ensure that Wisk will lead the way in autonomous flying.

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Boeing’s autonomous flight test takes off

Wisk Aero is on an exciting mission to be the first company to deliver a certified eVTOL able to carry passengers, after having already successfully manufactured six generations of eVTOLs.

“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,” Wisk CEO Sebastien Vigneron said.

The CEO also went on to explain that watching Gen 6 take to the air ‘reaffirms belief in autonomy’, with the company also ensuring that the eVTOL reaches appropriate safety standards, thanks to its program with the FAA.

What’s next for Gen 6 and Wisk?

Now that the first test flight has been completed, the only way is quite literally up.

The company is set to conjure up a ‘rigorous flight test program’, which will aim to prove the design, along with the system’s performance and even simulation models.

Now that the first phase was a success, it’s time to focus on all the important ‘hover regime’.

This means solidifying the take-off and landing process, as well as raising up to higher altitudes, picking up speed, and then tackling pedal turns and complex movements.

“Each test provides crucial data to verify our control laws, structural loads, and aircraft dynamics, allowing for refinement as needed,” said the company in a press release.

So, all eyes are on the Gen 6, and who knows, we could be flying in it very soon.

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