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Joby Aviation announced on Wednesday that it has begun flight testing for its first FAA-conforming aircraft for Type Inspection Authorization (TIA).
The company states that tests are a major step toward type certification for its electric air taxis. Flight testing will first be conducted by Joby pilots, followed later this year by FAA pilots who will conduct the TIA tests required to validate the aircraft for commercial service. The test will be conducted at the company's facility in Marina, California.
The first FAA-conforming aircraft to fly (N547JX) is the first of an in-production fleet meant to support the TIA testing. It was assembled using an airframe and components built to FAA Designated Engineering Representative-approved designs and signed off by FAA Designated Airworthiness Representatives, as specified in Joby's FAA-approved test plans.
"Seeing this aircraft fly means everything to our team. It's the validation of years of hard work and marks our entry into the final phase of bringing this aircraft to market," said Didier Papadopoulos, President of Aircraft OEM at Joby. "After focusing on ‘for credit' testing at both the equipment and system levels, we're now moving into the final phase of aircraft-level evaluations. This is evidence that our rigorous design and certification process is paying off, and we look forward to welcoming FAA pilots to Marina in due course."
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Joby claims it was able to move from prototype to conforming aircraft at such a fast pace due to its vertically integrated approach. A majority of its aircraft components are designed, engineered, tested and manufactured in-house, which the company claims reduces its reliance on third-party suppliers, improves quality control, and shortens lead times.
Joby was selected for the U.S. government's eIPP program on Monday. It clears the way for Joby to begin early operations in Arizona, Florida, Idaho, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas and Utah later in 2026, moving its air taxi closer to commercial service. Over time, Joby expects to be capable of supporting the delivery of up to 500 aircraft per year.