Working Group of Local Leaders, Business to Analyze Economic Effects and Systems of Air-Taxi UAVs

Wisk Aero has partnered with the city of Long Beach, California to establish the foundation of future all-electric, autonomous air taxi operations throughout the area. 

The two organizations will create an "Advanced Aerial Mobility working group composed of business, local government, and community leaders"  that will "focus on evaluating, planning, and implementing AAM in Long Beach, with a focus on autonomous flight." As things start off, the group will be headed by a combination of both entities. "Wisk and LBEP will co-chair the working group for an initial two-year term," the company confirmed in the statement unveiling the partnership. "Through the partnership, Wisk and the Long Beach Economic Partnership will conduct an Economic Impact study to measure the economic benefits to the community and overall economy from AAM operations in Southern California." The planned assessments will be completed over the next 2 years, hopefully completed in time for the earliest hints of market-ready eVTOL aircraft expected in 2024.  

The city sees itself as a great starting point for the advancement of the nascent AAM industry. “Long Beach has long been a center of aerospace culture and capabilities,” said Randal Hernandez, co-chair of the working group, immediate past chair of the long beach economic partnership and former chairman of the city of long beach’s economic development commission. “Autonomous, all-electric AAM represents the next revolution in commercial aviation and promises significant economic benefits with minimal environmental impact. We are proud to partner with an AAM leader like Wisk to further explore the benefits that AAM can bring to the City of Long Beach, the southern California region, and the state as a whole.”

FMI: www.wisk.aero, www.lbep.org