Airservices Australia has begun preparing for no-pilot-on-board air taxi services with eVTOL aircraft developer Wisk Aero. Under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) announced on October 15, the government-backed air traffic management agency agreed to support the Boeing-owned company’s plans to test its four-passenger, autonomous eVTOL vehicle ahead of planned commercial operations in Australia.
California-based Wisk has been developing plans in Australia for several years. In 2022, the company signed a MoU with the South East Queensland Council of Mayors. Its Australian subsidiary, Wisk Australia, is working with Skyports to prepare a ground infrastructure network that will support flights during the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games to be hosted in Brisbane.
Wisk and Airservices Australia said they plan to explore how uncrewed, remotely piloted aircraft can be integrated into the country’s airspace. The partnership will involve simulation exercises and workshops to support the development of autonomous air mobility networks.
Airservices Australia has plans to develop a Flight Information Management System it says could be critical for safely intregrating advanced air mobility operations into fully coordinated airspace. Wisk Australia will support the agency in work on digital flight approvals, and time- and trajectory-based operations, including those using vertiports.
“Australia has a history of aviation innovation and a vision for the future that includes advanced air mobility,” said Catherine MacGowan, Wisk’s vice president for the Asia-Pacific region and air operations. “We’re grateful to share that vision with Airservices and to contribute to an air traffic system that meets the needs of AAM services so we can bring safe, efficient air travel to communities in this region.”
Wisk Aero has already conducted flight trials in New Zealand. Last year, it worked with the country’s Civil Aviation Authority, drone operator Insitu Pacific, and air navigation service provider Airways New Zealand to conduct beyond-visual-line-of-sight exercises.