Joby Aviation, a leader in the development of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, has received clearance from the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) to begin flight tests on its first production prototype air taxi. This marks a significant milestone for the company as it strives to launch an air taxi service by 2025.
According to a press release issued by Joby Aviation, the production prototype will undergo initial flight testing before being delivered to Edwards Air Force Base, California, where it will be used to demonstrate various potential logistics use cases. The aircraft is capable of taking off and landing like a helicopter, and once in the air, it can tilt its six rotors horizontally and fly like an airplane at speeds of up to 200 mph. With a range of up to 100 miles on a single charge, the eVTOL aircraft is designed to carry a pilot and four passengers, making it suitable for most types of air taxi operations. Additionally, Joby claims that the aircraft is nearly silent in cruise mode and 100 times quieter than conventional aircraft during takeoff and landing.
Joby’s first production prototype was recently completed at its assembly plant in Marina, California. The plant was established in collaboration with Toyota, which happens to be Joby’s largest investor with a $394 million stake. To solidify the partnership, Joby has appointed Toyota North America CEO Tetsuo (Ted) Ogawa to its board of directors.
Having obtained the FAA’s special airworthiness certificate, Joby is now able to conduct flight tests using full production aircraft. This comes after several tests with full-scale prototypes that began in 2017. Last year, Joby also received the FAA’s Part 135 air carrier certificate for commercial operations, a critical permit for future air taxi services. Joby has recently joined forces with Delta Air Lines to offer travel options to and from airports, showcasing the potential for short travel times. For example, flying from downtown NYC to JFK airport could take just seven minutes in an air taxi compared to 49 minutes by car.
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However, Joby still faces the significant challenge of obtaining full FAA type and production certification, which is required to transport paying passengers on commercial flights. According to aerospace engineer and Vertical Flight Society director Mike Hirschberg, this milestone is likely around 18 months away. Joby’s first customer for its air taxi service will be the US Air Force, with deliveries scheduled for 2024 under a $131 million contract as part of the military’s Agility Prime program.
Joby’s progress sets it apart from other manufacturers in the industry. Many companies, such as Kittyhawk (backed by Larry Page), Ehang, Archer, Volocopter, and even Airbus, have encountered delays or shut down their projects. Joby CEO JoeBen Bevirt expressed the significance of the company’s first production prototype, stating that it is a “really, really big deal for the company.”
In conclusion, Joby Aviation has received FAA clearance to commence flight tests on its first production prototype air taxi, bringing the company closer to its goal of launching an air taxi service by 2025. With its cutting-edge eVTOL aircraft design and partnerships with Toyota and Delta Air Lines, Joby is poised to shape the future of transportation and revolutionize urban mobility.
