FutureFlight
Wisk Leads Autonomous Flight Trials in New Zealand's Controlled Airspace
The California-based eVTOL developer and its New Zealand partners successfully demonstrated that autonomous, uncrewed aircraft can safely integrate with regular piloted aircraft in controlled airspace.
A flight tracker is displayed on a computer monitor
California-based autonomous eVTOL air taxi developer Wisk Aero worked with government and industry partners in New Zealand to demonstrate how pilotless aircraft can safely integrate with controlled airspace. (Image: Wisk Aero)

Following a two-week flight test campaign in New Zealand, Wisk Aero says it has successfully demonstrated that autonomous, uncrewed aircraft can safely integrate with regular piloted aircraft in controlled airspace. The California-based eVTOL aircraft developer and its local partners conducted a series of flight trials between November 17 and December 1 to evaluate how pilotless aircraft flying beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) can safely operate under instrument flight rules (IFR) in controlled airspace, where vehicles must comply with air traffic control. 

“The successful completion of this phase of testing demonstrates that it is possible to safely integrate autonomous aircraft into controlled airspace that is shared with piloted aircraft,” said Catherine MacGowan, Wisk’s vice president of air operations and the Asia-Pacific region. “The processes, data, and learnings from these trial flights will help shape the future of advanced air mobility and the broader aviation industry.”

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