Wisk Aero completes first flight of Generation 6 autonomous eVTOL aircraft
December 17, 2025
Wisk has flown its first Generation 6 autonomous eVTOL aircraft one year after first unveiling it in December 2024. The aircraft is designed with a cruising altitude of 2,500+ feet, a range of 90 miles (with reserves), and a cruising speed of around 120 knots.
First Gen 6 Wisk Aero test flight
Yesterday, Wisk Aero reported the successful first flight of its Generation 6 eVTOL aircraft at its flight test facility in Hollister, California.
During the tests, the aircraft undertook its initial takeoff, hover, and stabilised flight manoeuvres, “validating the aircraft’s core flight systems, which is a critical first step in an extensive testing campaign.”
Wisk CEO Sebastien Vigneron said, “Seeing Gen 6 take flight… reaffirms our belief in autonomy, and we are even more energised to continue the journey to bring safe, everyday flight to everyone.”
Wisk added is collaborating with the FAA, NASA, SkyGrid, and others “to build a more efficient airspace.” Boeing the technologies and engineering methods provide valuable insight for the giant.
Having completed the first test hover flight, Wisk can now move on to a more rigorous flight test program, including low-speed stability tests, complex manoeuvres, and more.
WE HAVE LIFTOFF! Gen 6 has successfully completed its first flight.
— Wisk (@WiskAero) December 16, 2025
Thank you to every team member of team Wisk and to our partners at @boeing. This moment is yours. pic.twitter.com/yBeVn6L71e
The development builds on Wisk’s more than 1,750 test flights and previous five generations of aircraft. Separately, the first Wisk Gen 3 eVTOL aircraft is now on display at the Smithsonian.
Coming of autonomous air taxi services
Wisk Aero heralded the development, saying that the event marks a pivotal step toward delivering the first certified, autonomous passenger-carrying eVTOL. It’s unclear when the goal for getting the FAA certificate and bringing the aircraft into service is.
Gen 6 is notable for being the first-ever candidate for an FAA-certified commercial autonomous passenger aircraft in the United States. Wisk is working on getting its Gen 6 eVTOL through the certification application process.
Wisk says it is the only company that has now designed, built, and flown six generations of eVTOL aircraft. The launch markets in the United States are expected to include Miami, Los Angeles, and Houston.
✈️ Gen 6 has officially moved from Final Assembly to the Flight Test & Operations Team. This marks the transition from building the aircraft to proving its abilities in the air!#FlightTest #Gen6 #FirstFlight pic.twitter.com/vZ6s8N4YEd
— Wisk (@WiskAero) December 8, 2025
These eVTOL aircraft are designed to be all-electric and autonomous. While they don’t have a pilot onboard, there is still dedicated human oversight from a ground-based Multi-Vehicle Supervisor.
Get the latest eVTOL and AAM news at AGN
eVTOL air taxi services on the cusp of becoming reality
Wisk Aero is one of several start-up companies in the United States, China, and elsewhere racing to develop the emerging eVTOL “Jetsons-like” market.
Americans lost 43 hrs/yr (one work week) in traffic last year.
— Wisk (@WiskAero) September 30, 2025
Wisk is solving this with autonomous electric air taxis. We're testing advanced, certified systems to make urban flight safe, reliable, and scalable.#Autonomy #FutureOfFlight #SafetyInnovation pic.twitter.com/bdzn8kUpXz
Wisk Aero was founded in 2019 in partnership with Google’s co-founder Larry Page’s Kitty Hawk aircraft company and Boeing. The parent company is Boeing. It has also been forming a network of partnerships with other companies, like Japan Airlines (announced in June).
Gen 6 is a four-seater aircraft or flying car, and is similar to some of the other eVTOL aircraft being developed.
Meanwhile, Archer Aviation is set to commence passenger flights with its Midnight in Abu Dhabi in 2026. The aircraft has a pilot and seating for four passengers. Rival Joby Aviation is set to commence passenger flights in neighbouring Dubai with its pilot plus four passenger eVTOL.
While Archer and Joby appear to be set to enter the eVTOL passenger market before Wisk, Wisk is aiming to leap ahead of them by eliminating the pilot. All these companies are working to advance autonomous technology and remove the need for pilots onboard.
Featured Image: Wisk Aero
