Only just revealed to the public, Wisk Aero has released a prototype of a new four-person flying taxi that could cost Kiwis as little as $3 per kilometre to use.
Air New Zealand’s CEO Greg Foran was recently in California checking out the new four-seater aircraft which is said to “rise like a helicopter and fly like a plane”.
Wisk, which tested earlier versions of the aircraft in New Zealand, has confirmed its new look sixth-generation model will be the one that goes into production. It’s the world’s first self-flying all-electric vertical and take-off aircraft that can fit four people.
Image: Wisk Aero
The sixth-generation model cruises at around 120 knots (222km/h) and has a range of 144 kilometres, with reserves. It’ll fly at an altitude of 2500 to 4000 feet (762 to 1219 metres). Wisk said it had a “price target” of USD$3 per passenger, per mile. That’s the equivalent to roughly NZD$3 per kilometre.
Each flight will be overseen by a multi-vehicle supervisor, who can intervene if needed.
Wisk has an impressive list of partners, including Nasa and Boeing - which recently announced it was investing NZ$790 million (US$450m) in the company.
