Wisk’s G6 Air Taxi Makes First Flight

Welcome to Aviation Newsletter, your go-to podcast for the latest updates in the world of aviation. I’m Claire. This podcast is brought to you by the dedicated team at Starrime. We’re excited to bring you the latest news, insights, and stories from the skies. Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast, a frequent flyer, or just curious about what’s happening in the industry, you’re in the right place. Feel free to share your thoughts and feedback in the comments section. If you prefer to follow along in Chinese, we’ve got you covered—our podcast is available in both English and Chinese. So, without further ado, let’s dive into today’s newsletters.


1.www.ainonline.com
Wisk’s Gen 6 Autonomous Air Taxi Makes First Flight
December 16, 2025
Wisk Aero has successfully flown the first full-scale prototype of its autonomous four-passenger eVTOL air taxi, the Boeing-backed aircraft developer announced late Tuesday afternoon. According to Wisk, the Generation 6 aircraft took off, hovered, and performed some flight stabilization maneuvers during its inaugural flight, which took place at the company’s flight test facility in Hollister, California. 


The flight marks the beginning of what the company said will be a “rigorous” flight-test program that will validate the aircraft’s design, simulation models, and performance. Initial tests will focus on “takeoffs, landings, and low-speed stability before expanding to higher speeds and altitudes, including complex maneuvers such as longitudinal transition, lateral transition, and pedal turns,” according to Wisk. 


“This first flight is the moment our team has been working toward, and it is a powerful demonstration of the work, expertise, and commitment that have gone into the Gen 6 program,” said Wisk CEO Sebastien Vigneron. “Seeing Gen 6 take flight is an exciting moment for Wisk and the future of aviation. It reaffirms our belief in autonomy, and we are even more energized to continue the journey to bring safe, everyday flight to everyone.”


Unveiled in 2022, the Gen 6 eVTOL is the culmination of more than 1,750 flight test hours on Wisk”s subscale technology demonstrators. The all-electric aircraft is designed to carry four passengers on short trips of up to 90 miles, flying at a cruise speed of up to 120 knots at altitudes between 2,500 feet and 4,000 feet.


“The team at Wisk has built advanced technologies across flight controls, sensing, navigation, mission management, electric power, systems integration, and many others for a product that is designed to meet a rigorous safety case for a focused concept of operations,” noted Brian Yutko, Wisk chairman and vice president of product development at Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The engineering methods and technologies are all a valuable source of insight for Boeing as we work together and thoughtfully apply them to the future of flight.”


Wisk intends to become the first company to certify a fully autonomous and pilotless eVTOL for commercial air-taxi services in the U.S. and has already begun the FAA certification process, but the company has not committed to any specific timeframe for service entry. It aims to launch air-taxi services in Houston, Los Angeles, and Miami in partnership with local operators and the Signature Aviation FBO group.


2.www.ainonline.com
Smartflyer Targets 2026 First Flight for SF-1 Electric Aircraft
December 16, 2025
Smartflyer is aiming to achieve the first flight with its SF-1 light aircraft in the late summer of 2026. The Swiss start-up displayed the four-seater at the Aero Asia show held in Zhuhai in late November, emphasizing flight training, which it sees as the likely first application.
The company is developing the SF-1 as the first member of a family for aircraft available with three different propulsion systems. The intial pure-electric version will have a two-hour endurance, while a hybrid-electric variant could extend range up to 430 nm and a hydrogen fuel cell alternative could support up to five hours of flight.
The SF-1 prototype features a distinctive rear-mounted propeller on the vertical tail in a tractor configuration. The all-electric version is powered by a Emrax 348 electric motor delivering 160 kilowatts for takeoff and 120 kilowatts for continuous flight. The batteries housed in the wing are permanently installed, while the modular nose housing the energy source is swappable.
Speaking to AIN during the show in China, Smartflyer CEO and head of design Rolf Stuber said the SF-1 prototype is now in an intensive system test phase as the program prepares for upcoming ground and flight tests. "Individual components—including the range extender and battery management system—are being validated, while battery integration is planned for March 2026, subject to delivery timelines,” he explained “Following ground tests and the permit-to-fly process, first flight is targeted for late summer 2026."
To support the next development phase, Smartflyer is currently trying to raise approximately $3.72 million in new capital. Of this, about $1.49 million has already been secured, while the remaining $2.23 million is intended to fund further prototype refinements and preparation of the type certification application. The company plans to submit the application in mid-2027 and estimates the total cost of achieving EASA CS-23 certification at around $37.21 million.


3.www.ainonline.com
Boeing-backed Evio Launches Hybrid-electric Regional Airliner
December 16, 2025
Boeing-backed start-up Evio emerged from stealth today with the unveiling of its planned hybrid-electric regional airplane, the Evio 810, a clean-sheet design that the company aims to bring to market in the early 2030s.
Evio, which was founded in 2019 and has operations in the U.S. and Canada, claims to have secured pre-orders for 450 Evio 810 aircraft so far. According to the company, two unspecified “major” airlines signed conditional purchase agreements in 2023 for a combined total of 250 Evio 810s, with options for another 200 units. 
In addition to the 76-seat passenger airliner, the company intends to offer the Evio 810 for cargo and defense applications. While Boeing has provided an undisclosed sum of funding and technical support for the program, turboprop engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney Canada is working with Evio to develop the aircraft’s hybrid-electric propulsion system.
“We will leverage the proven performance and unmatched reliability of the PT6E engine, as well as our decades of experience in propulsion technology innovation and systems integration, to unlock new possibilities for aircraft fuel efficiency and mission versatility,” Scott McElvaine, v-p of sales and marketing for Pratt & Whitney Canada, said of the Evio collaboration.
Evio has not yet revealed a targeted range or other specifications for the Evio 810, but the company says the aircraft will be optimized for fully electric operations on short-haul flights. Digital renderings show a four-engine turboprop with a T-shaped tail. 
“From day one, our focus has been on increasing profitability for regional operators and providing an exceptional passenger experience,” said Evio CEO Michael Derman. “We’ve recognized early on that a strong-hybrid architecture can provide unmatched efficiencies for airlines, helping them sustain vibrant regional networks in a cost-effective, responsible way.”
While a handful of other aircraft manufacturers have also announced plans to introduce clean-sheet, hybrid-electric regional airliners, the Evio 810 would be among the largest in its class. Most are targeting the 19- to 30-seat range. Maeve, a Dutch company developing an 80-seat hybrid-electric regional airliner called M80, is also collaborating with Pratt & Whitney Canada on its propulsion system.


4.www.cannews.com.cn
Greater Bay Area Low-Altitude Aviation Meteorological Test Base Launched in Shenzhen
December 16, 2025
China has officially inaugurated its first field science test base dedicated to meteorological support for the low-altitude economy, marking a significant step forward in building the foundational infrastructure required for the safe development of emerging low-altitude aviation activities.
The Low-Altitude Economy Unmanned Aviation Meteorological Support Field Science Test Base for the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area, established jointly by the Shenzhen Meteorological Bureau and the Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, was formally unveiled in Shenzhen in recent days. An associated academic committee was also launched at the same time.
The new base represents a major milestone in China’s efforts to systematically develop specialized meteorological observation, forecasting, early warning, and service technologies tailored to the needs of the low-altitude economy. It is expected to provide critical scientific and safety support for Shenzhen’s ambition to become China’s “leading city for the low-altitude economy” and a globally recognized “city in the sky.”
Positioned to serve the broader Greater Bay Area, the facility will focus on addressing the core meteorological challenges associated with low-altitude operations. It aims to function as a pilot zone for high-precision monitoring, a testing ground for advanced forecasting techniques, a demonstration hub for specialized meteorological services, and an open platform for regional and international collaboration.
Through large-scale joint observation campaigns, shared scientific resources, and collaborative research on key enabling technologies, the base seeks to optimize resource allocation, standardize operational management, and improve service efficiency. Ultimately, it is expected to generate high-level research outcomes, cultivate skilled scientific talent, and inject sustained meteorological support into the safe and long-term development of China’s low-altitude economy.


5.gama.aero
GAMA Releases Third Quarter 2025 Aircraft Shipment and Billing Report
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) published the third quarter 2025 General Aviation Aircraft Shipment and Billing Report. The results for the first nine months of 2025, when compared to the same period in 2024, show increased shipments in the business jets sector and an increase in the overall value of aircraft shipments. 


Aircraft shipments through the third quarter of 2025, when compared to the same period in 2024, saw piston airplanes increase by five units to 1,238, turboprops decrease 6.0% with 409 units, and business jets increase 10.6% with 554 units. The value of airplane deliveries through the third quarter of 2025 was $19.4 billion, an increase of 13.2%.


Helicopter shipments through the third quarter of 2025, when compared to the same period in 2024, saw piston helicopters decrease by six units to 149, and turbine helicopters decrease by 3.1% to 463. The value of civil-commercial helicopter deliveries was $3.1 billion.


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