Joby's First Conforming Aircraft Intended for Type Inspection Authorization Flight Tests Prepares for Paint and Final Assembly at the Company's Manufacturing Facility in Marina, CA. Credit: Joby Aviation.
- Marks critical milestone on path to commercialization
- Testing on major components, aerostructures, and systems complete
- Remains on track to start flying first TIA aircraft in 2025
SANTA CRUZ, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE:JOBY), a company developing electric air taxis for commercial passenger service, today announced it is preparing for final assembly of its first conforming aircraft intended for Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) flight tests. TIA flight testing of a conforming aircraft is a convergence of three critical initiatives within Joby that are aligned with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards: 1) relevant test plan approvals, 2) a design that meets FAA standards, and 3) the ability to manufacture the conforming design. Having successfully progressed all three ahead of assembly, including FAA acceptance of more than half of the Company’s test plans, this milestone continues to move Joby into the final stage of FAA certification and closer to commercializing its electric air taxi.
“Every component, every system, and every test we have completed over the past 15 years has led us to this point,” said Didier Papadopoulos, President of Aircraft OEM. “We are now bringing it all together on the first of several aircraft that will be used for the final phase of FAA flight testing. TIA is the final major step in the process of certification and puts us within direct line of sight of a fully certified aircraft ready for commercial operations.”
Joby expects its pilots to start flying this aircraft in 2025, with FAA pilots following shortly thereafter to directly evaluate the aircraft’s performance and safety. This testing is central to the certification process and forms a key part of the fifth, and final, stage of the type certification process.
The final assembly of Joby’s first conforming aircraft is the culmination of years of development, manufacturing, and flight testing of multiple aircraft that validated design and capabilities. Successful tests included static load testing on primary aerostructures, where engineers applied forces far exceeding expected flight loads. This work provided essential data and validated the aircraft’s structural integrity. Aircraft components and systems were also tested, incorporating important instrumentation and sensor calibration essential for TIA.
Papadopoulos added: “We said we'd deliver a conforming aircraft in 2025 and that's exactly what we're doing, all in alignment with FAA support. Meeting our TIA goals is a direct reflection of our team’s extraordinary dedication. Every step forward is a testament to their unwavering focus on safely bringing this aircraft to market.”
The progress Joby has made in developing a conforming aircraft underscores the value of its vertical integration strategy, which has enabled in-house design, manufacturing, and testing. Joby believes this approach has accelerated development, maintained quality control, and streamlined the certification process. In addition, its recent manufacturing expansion in California and Ohio along with the Company’s close collaboration with Toyota, will enable Joby to double its production capacity to 24 aircraft per year.
Joby will be releasing its second quarter 2025 financial results after market close today, August 6, 2025, and will host a webcast at 5:00 pm ET. The webcast will be publicly available in the Upcoming Events section of the company website, www.jobyaviation.com.
About Joby
Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE:JOBY) is a California-based transportation company developing an all-electric, vertical take-off and landing air taxi. Joby intends to both operate its fast, quiet, and convenient air taxi service in cities around the world and sell its aircraft to other operators and partners. To learn more, visit www.jobyaviation.com.
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