- Flight marks a major step on the path to FAA Type Certification
- Aircraft is first of a fleet being built for Type Inspection Authorization (TIA)
- FAA pilots expected to begin ‘for credit' TIA flight testing later this year
Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE:JOBY), a company developing electric air taxis for commercial passenger service, today announced it has begun flight testing its first FAA-conforming aircraft for Type Inspection Authorization (TIA), a major step on the path to type certification. Initial testing by Joby pilots will pave the way for FAA pilots to visit Joby's Marina, CA, facility later this year to conduct the rigorous TIA testing required to validate the aircraft for commercial service.
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Joby's first FAA-conforming aircraft for TIA in flight at the Company's test facility in Marina, CA (Credit: Joby Aviation)
Today's announcement comes just days after the U.S. government cleared the way for mature aircraft designs like Joby's to begin early operations across the U.S. this year, as part of the White House-backed eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP). Through the program, Joby has the opportunity to fly in Arizona, Florida, Idaho, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas and Utah, marking a major milestone for the U.S. air taxi industry with the potential to significantly accelerate Joby's path to commercial service.
"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."
The aircraft (N547JX) is the first of a fleet currently in production to support TIA testing, and has been 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.
The pace at which Joby has been able to move from prototype to conforming aircraft is rooted in its vertically integrated approach, a strategy that is redefining the industry's path to certification. The vast majority of the Joby's aircraft components are designed, engineered, tested and manufactured in-house, reducing reliance on third party suppliers, improving quality control, and shortening lead times.
In 2025, Joby celebrated the completion of an expanded manufacturing facility in Marina, CA and confirmed the start of propeller blade production in Ohio. Additionally, Joby recently acquired a new 700,000 square-foot facility in Dayton, Ohio to support its plans to double production to four aircraft per month in 2027. Over time, Joby's Dayton facilities are expected to be capable of supporting the delivery of up to 500 aircraft per year.
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.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to, statements regarding the development and performance of our aircraft, the growth of our manufacturing capabilities, our regulatory outlook, progress and timing, the expected timing of FAA "for credit" flights, and expected timing and benefits of the eIPP; manufacturing plans and targets, including plans to double production to four aircraft per month in 2027 and plans for our Dayton facilities to be capable of supporting the delivery of up to 500 aircraft per year; our business plan, objectives, goals and market opportunity; and our current expectations relating to our business, financial condition, results of operations, prospects, capital needs and growth of our operations, including the expected benefits of our vertically-integrated business model. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as "anticipate", "estimate", "expect", "project", "plan", "intend", "believe", "may", "will", "should", "can have", "likely" and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events. All forward looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including: our ability to launch our air taxi service and the growth of the urban air mobility market generally; our ability to produce aircraft that meet our performance expectations in the volumes and on the timelines that we project; complexities related to obtaining certification and operating in foreign markets; participation in eIPP projects is subject to the finalization of OTA contracts; the competitive environment in which we operate; our future capital needs; our ability to adequately protect and enforce our intellectual property rights; our ability to effectively respond to evolving regulations and standards relating to our aircraft; our reliance on third-party suppliers and service partners; uncertainties related to our estimates of the size of the market for our service and future revenue opportunities; and other important factors discussed in the section titled "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on February 27, 2026, and in future filings and other reports we file with or furnish to the SEC. Any such forward-looking statements represent management's estimates and beliefs as of the date of this release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change.
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