Joby Advances to Testing with Production Prototype Air Taxi

Until now, the manufacturer had only performed flight testing with less-developed, preproduction prototypes.

Friday, May 03, 2024 at 04:13 PM ET

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Joby’s two preproduction prototype air taxis together have flown more than 33,000 miles over the course of more than 1,500 test flights, the company says. [Courtesy: Joby Aviation]

Key Takeaways:

Joby Aviation is moving into a critical phase of FAA type certification by commencing flight testing with its production prototype eVTOL aircraft, a progression from previous preproduction models.
This testing focuses on "for-credit evaluations" with the FAA, which are essential for achieving full type certification and enabling Joby's target of launching commercial urban air mobility services by 2025.
The company has already deployed its first production prototype with the U.S. Air Force for logistics and missions, and plans to operate commercial services in partnership with Delta Air Lines.

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After announcing a manufacturing expansion earlier this week, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi manufacturer Joby Aviation is preparing for a critical step in type certification with the FAA.

The company on Thursday said it is moving to the next phase of flight testing using production prototype aircraft, the first of which came off its pilot production line at Marina Municipal Airport (KOAR) in California in June. The company on Monday rolled out a second production prototype. Until now, Joby had only flown tests using two preproduction air taxi prototypes.