CLEAR FOR
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Joby Aviation, a prominent player in the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft industry, announced a major achievement in its pursuit of launching a commercial air taxi service in the United States by 2025. The company has successfully submitted all certification plans for its cutting-edge eVTOL aircraft to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), marking a significant milestone in its regulatory journey.

This summer, Joby unveiled the first production prototype of its piloted four-passenger aircraft at its flight-testing facility in Marina, California. The facility also houses a pilot production line established in collaboration with Toyota, Joby's trusted partner in advancing innovative aviation technologies.

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With the completion of the certification plan submissions, Joby is now nearing the conclusion of the third phase out of five in the FAA type certification process. These comprehensive plans outline the specific testing procedures, meticulous analyses, and detailed design reports that Joby aims to undertake to demonstrate its full compliance with FAA safety regulations.

Joby's stage-three submission comprises around a dozen area-specific certification plans, encompassing all the essential hardware and software that constitute the aircraft's diverse subsystems, including the flight controls and distributed electric propulsion system. In addition, the plans encompass comprehensive details pertaining to cybersecurity and systems safety, highlighting Joby's commitment to ensuring the utmost security and reliability of its aircraft.

Earlier this year, in February, Joby successfully completed the second stage of certification when the FAA accepted its means of compliance document. This critical document outlines the company's strategy for adhering to the safety regulations outlined in its certification basis. Joby's achievement in establishing a certification basis for its eVTOL aircraft in 2020 set an industry precedent, making it the first eVTOL developer to reach this significant regulatory milestone. This basis, known as G-1 certification basis, delineates the specific airworthiness criteria and environmental standards required for FAA type certification.

Didier Papadopoulos, Joby's head of aircraft original equipment manufacturing (OEM), expressed his appreciation for the FAA's unwavering commitment to the safe integrationof next-generation aircraft. He stated, "Joby continues to lead the way on certifying eVTOL aircraft with the FAA, and today's news is another step towards launching commercial service in 2025."

Simultaneously with the rollout of the production prototype at Marina, Joby announced the reception of a special airworthiness certificate from the FAA, granting clearance for flight testing. Building upon extensive flight tests with earlier pre-production prototypes, Joby has already logged an impressive distance of over 30,000 miles.

As part of its Agility Prime contract with the U.S. Air Force, Joby intends to deliver the initial production prototype, referred to as the "company-conforming aircraft," to Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California in early 2024. This delivery marks a groundbreaking moment, as it will be the first instance of an eVTOL aircraft being provided to a paying customer. The contract, valued at up to $131 million, covers the delivery of up to nine aircraft to the USAF. Joby has been generating revenue through its involvement in the Agility Prime program since 2021.

Joby remains optimistic about obtaining FAA type certification in 2024, positioning it well for launching commercial air taxi operations in 2025. In a strategic partnership with Delta Air Lines, Joby plans to offer air taxi services to passengers traveling to and from Delta's major hub airports, with initial routes commencing in Los Angeles and New York City. The collaboration with Delta signifies a crucial step towards revolutionizing urban air mobility and transforming the way people travel in the future.

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