Joby Flies First Electric Air Taxi Meeting FAA Design Criteria

Company until now had conducted testing using developmental and preproduction prototype aircraft.

Jack Daleo

Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 02:45 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Joby’s first FAA-conforming air taxi lifts off at the company’s test facility in Marina, California. [Credit: Joby Aviation]

Key Takeaways:

Joby Aviation has achieved a major milestone by flying its first FAA-conforming eVTOL aircraft (N547JX), signifying a critical step towards FAA certification and preparing for agency test pilot evaluations later this year.
The company is rapidly expanding its operational plans, including participation in the FAA's eIPP across multiple U.S. states and launching passenger service in Dubai, while simultaneously scaling up manufacturing and pilot training.
Joby's progress unfolds amid a competitive environment, marked by a rivalry with Archer Aviation over alleged Chinese ties and potential geopolitical risks affecting its planned Dubai operations.

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California-based electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi developer Joby Aviation is advancing from testing with developmental models to aircraft that meet FAA design criteria—a critical step as it aims to get agency test pilots in the cockpit later this year.

Joby on Wednesday revealed that the company’s pilots are now flying its first “FAA-conforming” aircraft, N547JX. “Conforming” means that the model aligns with Joby’s agency-approved airworthiness criteria and test plans. In other words, it is representative of the aircraft the company intends to certify and operate.