Milestones:
Testing under way with conforming aircraft! (March 2026)
FAA Part 141 approval for Flight Academy (Dec 2024)
FAA accepts Joby certification test program (Feb 2024)
FAA Part 145 Maintenance Certificate received (Feb 2024)

OUR REVIEW:

With 2500+ flights covering 50,000+ miles, this is an extensively tested aircraft. Joby Aviation (JOBY on NYSE) went public in 2021 and was the first such company to do so. This has allowed them the funds to continue testing. But how close are they to delivery?

As of March 2026, Joby built its first aircraft conforming for Type Inspection Authorization (TIA). That means the aircraft conforms to the standards and design agreed with the FAA for Type Certification. This is the aircraft(s) that will be used to complete the certification process with the FAA before Joby can deliver aircraft and begin commercial operations. Each tested aircraft must conform to the agreed design, and signed off by FAA designated Airworthiness Representatives.

This is a HUGE milestone and we will be watching closely to see how things are progressing. Currently Joby is operating routes in Texas as part of the US government’s eIPP — the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program. They are operating real-world test flights in order to collect operational data and set safety rules for commercial flight at scale.

Being first is an incredible accomplishment, but is not without challenges. As a novel aircraft operating in urban environments, the bar for safety is much higher. In addition to the technological challenges of safe flight of one aircraft, the FAA is also closely watching the operation of fleets of aircraft, which has implications for air traffic control and emergency procedures.

The aircraft will be especially analyzed in cases like bird (drone?) strike, rotor failure, and electric runaway. After all, flying (and landing) battery technology over populated areas brings additional hazards not previously seen in urban aviation at this scale.

In terms of operations, Joby has already received FAA Part 141 certificate for its flight academy. With that, they can offer streamlined pilot training necessary for operations. They also have received FAA acceptance under Part 5 for their air operations voluntary Safety Management System (SMS). This is a necessary requirement to begin any flight operations, however the data from early fleet tests will be critical in developing the safety policies, for which there is no existing safety record.

And of course the final test of the aircraft will come once the Type Certificate is approved and operations begin: is the business model viable? This is the Great Question facing all air taxi services. Projections are made, but are often based on anticipated demand which may or may not materialize. In order to bring prices down for passengers, operators will need to manage fleets of 1000s of aircraft running almost non-stop. Charging times, safety checks, and downtime for weather will play a massive role in profit margins. And passengers aren’t likely to choose this over traditional transport if the price tag is too high. And they may not choose it all until safety perceptions become highly reliable.

Is it cool? Yes. Do we want to see a future with air taxis aimed at the general public? Of course! But we may be decades out before it is truly a reality. We just hope that the companies like Joby can stay afloat in the meantime while building necessary infrastructure and offering sufficient routes. They have managed so far, but we can’t say the same for many of its very viable competitors.

*Range, endurance, and max speed are reported by the manufacturer. These specifications are not yet verified by performance tests. Personal Air Mobility comments on these claims in engineering reviews, but does not independently verify their validity.