Wisk Aero, Boeing’s self-flying, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi venture, has set its sights on Texas as one of its launch markets. The company recently announced a partnership with the city of Sugar Land, Texas, to bring advanced air mobility (AAM) to the Greater Houston area. This collaboration includes plans to construct a vertiport at Sugar Land Regional Airport (KSGR).
As part of the agreement, Wisk and the city will be looking at potential locations for a vertiport and evaluating the possibility of establishing training and maintenance facilities at the airport. Sugar Land Regional Airport, which already handles 75,000 operations annually and has capacity for up to 268,000, has been identified as a key site for these developments. The ultimate goal of this partnership is to create a network that will connect the entire region, including routes between downtown Houston and the Houston Airport System.
Wisk’s Gen 6 prototype, a four-seat aircraft with a range of 90 nautical miles and quick charging capabilities, is at the heart of this initiative. The aircraft’s unique design features twelve wing-mounted electric propellers that power the aircraft during takeoff and landing, with rear-mounted motors providing vertical lift. In cruise mode, the aft propellers disengage while the front propellers tilt forward, allowing the aircraft to reach speeds of 110-120 knots.
One of the standout features of the Wisk aircraft is its autonomy. Apart from China’s EHang, no other major eVTOL air taxi competitor is aiming for initial operations without an onboard pilot. Wisk has been working diligently over the past 18 months to develop a stakeholder ecosystem in the Greater Houston area to bring self-flying air taxis to the region. This effort involves collaborating with local authorities, such as the FAA, to develop the necessary infrastructure and operational procedures for AAM services.
Texas is quickly becoming a hub for advanced transportation technologies, with other companies exploring opportunities in the state. Wisk’s competitors, Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation, have announced plans in cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. However, Texas is now also embracing technologies like drone delivery, with companies like Wing and Manna already operating in the Dallas area. Furthermore, legislative support, such as Texas Senate Bill 2144, is solidifying the state’s position as a leader in the AAM industry.
Overall, Wisk’s partnership with Sugar Land, Texas, marks a significant step forward in bringing autonomous air taxis to the Greater Houston area. With innovative technologies and forward-thinking collaborations, the region is poised to become a pioneering hub for next-generation transportation solutions.
