Joby Aviation, a leading company in the development of electric air taxis for commercial passenger service, has made a significant advancement in its journey toward certification. The company has successfully entered the final phase of the certification process for its electric air taxi after conducting its first testing under Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This achievement marks a crucial step in Joby’s mission to bring electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft into commercial service.
The TIA testing involved FAA pilots evaluating critical human factors of flight safety, focusing on the human-machine interface, pilot workload, and ergonomic aspects of the aircraft’s flight deck. The testing was conducted using a simulator equipped with an FAA-conforming flight deck, allowing the FAA to assess various flight conditions and gauge the aircraft’s readiness for safe operation. TIA testing is regarded as the final phase of the FAA’s type certification process, which is necessary for the aircraft to be approved for commercial passenger use.
“This milestone underscores Joby’s leadership in the industry and highlights the maturity of our testing program,” said JoeBen Bevirt, CEO and Founder of Joby Aviation. “The successful completion of this critical phase is a testament to the rigorous testing and validation we’ve already undertaken, as well as our commitment to ensuring safety and reliability in every aspect of our aircraft’s design and operation.”
The TIA testing is part of a broader set of rigorous evaluations that Joby has been conducting in partnership with the FAA. These tests are critical to verifying the performance and safety of the aircraft, ensuring it meets the stringent standards necessary for public air travel. As part of the process, FAA test pilots assess an aircraft’s performance against a comprehensive set of pre-approved certification test plans. This includes confirming that the vehicle’s systems, aerostructures, and components operate within safe parameters.
Joby is already well into the process of completing the ‘for credit’ testing of key components, aerostructures, and systems as part of the certification program. In fact, the company is targeting the start of TIA flight testing in 2025, with its first FAA-conforming electric air taxi currently under construction at Joby’s facility in Marina, California.
The TIA tests conducted were designed to evaluate various human factors elements related to flight safety. These included measuring pilot workload under different flight conditions, assessing the physical ergonomics of the flight deck, and ensuring that other key human factors, such as ease of control and accessibility, meet FAA standards. The testing was carried out over the course of three days, with four FAA test pilots participating in the process.
In addition to the successful TIA testing, Joby achieved another key milestone earlier this month when it announced the completion of static load testing on a FAA-conforming tail structure for its aircraft. This marked the first time that Joby tested a major aerostructure with FAA credit, a critical achievement in the certification process. The company continues to demonstrate its progress toward certifying its electric air taxi, with a focus on delivering an aircraft that meets the highest standards for safety, performance, and sustainability.
Joby’s electric air taxi is designed to carry a pilot and up to four passengers, offering speeds of up to 200 mph. The aircraft promises to revolutionize urban mobility by providing high-speed transportation with a fraction of the noise generated by helicopters and zero operating emissions. This makes Joby’s air taxi a groundbreaking solution for reducing traffic congestion in cities while offering an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional air travel.
As the first eVTOL manufacturer to complete three out of the five stages of the FAA type certification program, Joby is well ahead of its competitors in the certification process. The company has now completed more than 40 percent of the work required for the fourth stage of the program. This places Joby in a strong position to lead the development of electric air taxis and pave the way for their commercial operation in the coming years.
With its electric air taxi technology, Joby is poised to become a leader in the emerging urban air mobility market. The successful completion of TIA testing and other critical milestones brings the company one step closer to offering a new form of transportation that is faster, quieter, and more sustainable than traditional modes of air travel. As Joby continues to innovate and progress through the certification process, the future of urban air mobility looks increasingly promising.
