The skies over Southern California may one day be busier — and quieter — thanks to a new agreement between Wisk Aero and the City of Fullerton. The autonomous aviation company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Boeing, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the city to explore infrastructure, policy and operational pathways for launching autonomous, all-electric air taxi services at Fullerton Municipal Airport.

The collaboration positions Fullerton as a potential hub for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) in the Los Angeles–Orange County metropolitan area. It also marks the latest in a series of strategic moves by Wisk Aero to build a sustainable regional network for autonomous air taxis.

Story Highlights

• Wisk Aero teams with City of Fullerton to plan autonomous, all-electric air taxi operations.

• Focus on vertiport infrastructure, regulatory frameworks and community guidelines.

• Builds on Wisk’s Long Beach partnership and 2023 public flight demonstration.

• Aims to establish a Southern California Advanced Air Mobility network.

Laying the Groundwork for Air Taxi Operations

Under the MOU, Wisk Aero will advise Fullerton on vertiport requirements, Instrument Flight Rules routes and other technical needs for autonomous operations. Fullerton Municipal Airport will incorporate AAM and UAM considerations into its strategic planning for the airport, the electrical grid and surrounding airspace.

City officials will also develop policy pathways, including permitting and community noise level guidelines, to prepare for the potential introduction of autonomous air taxis.

A Joint Approach to Operations and Policy

The agreement goes beyond technical planning. Both Wisk Aero and the City of Fullerton will jointly evaluate operational and commercial aspects, such as the feasibility of training and maintenance facilities at the airport and the definition of commercial terms for Wisk’s future services.

They will also review existing municipal policies and land-use codes to recommend amendments necessary for autonomous AAM operations. This proactive approach is intended to help set standards for how urban centers integrate next-generation transportation technology.

Building a Regional Network Across Southern California

The MOU also encourages regional collaboration. Wisk and Fullerton will explore other potential vertiport sites across Southern California to facilitate route planning and support applications for federal, state and local grants to fund infrastructure development.

Community and Industry Reactions

Jeff Ball, President and CEO of the Orange County Business Council, called the partnership a “powerful example” of forward-thinking collaboration.

“The Orange County Business Council continues to advocate for innovative technologies that drive our region’s economic competitiveness,” Ball said. “The partnership between Wisk and the City of Fullerton is a powerful example of the forward-thinking collaborations that will keep Orange County at the forefront of technology and transportation. This milestone marks the beginning of a sustainable air mobility ecosystem — one that will create high-quality jobs, strengthen connections between communities, and further position Orange County as a leader in the future of mobility.”

Emilien Marchand, Regional Lead of Ecosystem Partnerships at Wisk, emphasized that the agreement represents a practical step toward bringing autonomous flight to life.

“This partnership with the City of Fullerton is representative of the practical steps needed to bring autonomous flight to life,” Marchand said. “Our work together will not only assess the feasibility of AAM at FUL, but also help define the standards and processes for the entire industry. We’re building a blueprint for how cities can successfully integrate AAM into their transportation networks for the long term, and we’re excited about the potential across the Southern California region.”

Continuing Momentum After Long Beach

This agreement builds on Wisk’s long-standing collaboration with the City of Long Beach and its historic public flight demonstration in October 2023. For Wisk Aero, the partnership with Fullerton represents another step toward fulfilling its commitment to the Los Angeles–Orange County metropolitan area.

By aligning with multiple cities, the company aims to unlock partnerships with other vertiport sites and create a regional network that could eventually serve passengers throughout this densely populated region.

About Wisk Aero

Wisk Aero is an autonomous aviation company dedicated to creating a future for air travel that elevates people, communities and aviation itself. The company develops all-electric, autonomous air taxi technology designed to transform urban and regional air transportation. More information can be found at wisk.aero.

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