Joby Aviation enters final phase of certification for electric air taxi
US-based electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft manufacturer, Joby Aviation (Joby), has announced a major milestone in its path to achieving type certification for its aircraft.
The company has commenced the final phase of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification process, successfully completing its first Type Inspection Authorisation (TIA) testing.
As part of this critical step, FAA pilots conducted evaluations focused on human factors in flight safety.
Using an FAA-conforming flight deck in a Joby simulator, the tests assessed pilot workload, flight deck ergonomics, and other human factors essential for the safe operation of the aircraft.
TIA testing is the final stage of the type certification process, a prerequisite for initiating commercial passenger operations.
During this phase, FAA test pilots validate the aircraft’s safety and performance based on previously approved certification test plans.
“This milestone demonstrates Joby’s continued industry leadership and is a reflection of the maturity of our test programme and the rigorous company testing we’ve already completed,” said JoeBen Bevirt, CEO and Founder of Joby Aviation.
Readying for TIA flight testing
The company is now preparing for TIA flight testing, expected to commence in 2025 with its first FAA-conforming aircraft, currently under construction at its facility in Marina, California.
Adding to its progress, Joby recently achieved a significant accomplishment by completing static load testing on an FAA-conforming tail structure.
This milestone marks the first time the company has tested a major aerostructure for FAA credit, advancing its certification journey further.
Joby is the first eVTOL manufacturer to complete three of the five stages of the FAA type certification programme.
The company is also over 40% complete with its work towards the fourth stage.
In addition to its certification efforts, Joby secured a $500 million investment in October from its long-term partner Toyota, aimed at accelerating the certification and commercial production of its eVTOL aircraft.
Moreover, the company is also expanding its global ambitions.
At the inaugural Advanced Air Mobility Symposium, organised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in Montreal, Canada, in September, Joby presented a Letter of Intent (LoI) to the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to initiate the process for air operator certification in the country.