Joby Successfully Conducts First FAA Testing under TIA, Begins Final Phase of Certification Program

Rhea-AI Summary

Joby Aviation (NYSE:JOBY) has entered the final phase of certification for its electric air taxi, conducting its first FAA testing under Type Inspection Authorization (TIA). The testing involved FAA pilots evaluating human factors and safety elements using an FAA-conforming flight deck in a simulator.

The company completed three days of TIA testing with four FAA test pilots, focusing on pilot workload, physical ergonomics, and safety aspects. Joby has also successfully completed static load testing on an FAA-conforming tail structure. The company is targeting 2025 to begin TIA flight testing with its first FAA-conforming aircraft, currently under construction in Marina, California.

Joby is the first eVTOL manufacturer to complete three of five stages of the FAA type certification program and has achieved over 40% completion of the fourth stage. Their electric air taxi is designed to transport a pilot and four passengers at speeds up to 200 mph.

Positive

• First eVTOL manufacturer to complete 3 of 5 FAA certification stages
• Over 40% completion of fourth certification stage
• Successful completion of static load testing on FAA-conforming tail structure
• First TIA testing completed with FAA pilots

Negative

• Full TIA flight testing not expected to begin until 2025
• Aircraft still in construction phase, not yet ready for flight testing

Insights

Aerospace Certification Expert

The successful completion of initial Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) testing marks a crucial milestone in Joby's certification journey. TIA represents the final and most rigorous phase of aircraft certification, where the FAA directly validates safety and performance. The testing of human factors elements with FAA pilots using conforming flight deck hardware demonstrates significant maturity in Joby's certification program.

The completion of static load testing on FAA-conforming tail structure further solidifies Joby's progress. Being the first eVTOL manufacturer to complete three of five certification stages and achieving >40% completion of the fourth stage positions them ahead of competitors in the certification timeline. The 2025 target for TIA flight testing with the first conforming aircraft appears realistic given the current progression rate.

Aviation Industry Analyst

This development carries substantial market implications. Joby's methodical progression through certification stages enhances their first-mover advantage in the commercial eVTOL space. With a market capitalization of $5.5 billion, investor confidence appears aligned with their execution capability. The successful testing of pilot interface and human factors demonstrates operational readiness, important for commercial service viability.

The aircraft's specifications of 200 mph speed and four-passenger capacity position it competitively in the urban air mobility market. The emphasis on noise reduction compared to helicopters and zero operating emissions addresses key market adoption barriers. The systematic approach to certification, while time-consuming, reduces regulatory risks and strengthens their market position.

• Type Inspection Authorization is considered the final phase of aircraft certification ahead of commercial service
• Tests were completed using an FAA-conforming flight deck in a Joby simulator
• Company targets 2025 to start TIA flight testing with first FAA-conforming aircraft, currently being built

SANTA CRUZ, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE:JOBY), a company developing electric air taxis for commercial passenger service, today announced it has entered the final phase of certification for its electric air taxi, having conducted its first FAA testing under Type Inspection Authorization (“TIA”). The testing involved pilots from the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) evaluating human factors elements of flight safety using an FAA-conforming flight deck in a Joby simulator.

Joby conducted its first testing under TIA on the flight deck of the company’s electric air taxi, with FAA pilots using FAA-conforming hardware in Marina, California. (Photo: Joby Aviation)

TIA testing is considered the final phase of the type certification process, which paves the way for an aircraft to begin commercial passenger operations. This phase involves FAA test pilots conducting testing to validate an aircraft’s performance and safety in accordance with previously-approved certification test plans.

“This milestone demonstrates Joby’s continued industry leadership and is a reflection of the maturity of our test program and the rigorous company testing we’ve already completed,” said JoeBen Bevirt, CEO and Founder at Joby Aviation.

“As well as continuing the ‘for credit’ testing of components, aerostructures and systems that is already underway, we are targeting the start of TIA flight testing in 2025 with our first FAA-conforming aircraft, which is currently being built at our facility in Marina, California.”

The tests were conducted according to a set of criteria outlined in an FAA-approved human factors certification test plan and measured pilot workload under various expected flight conditions, physical ergonomics of the flight deck, as well as other human factors aspects of aircraft safety. Four FAA test pilots completed three days of TIA testing during the engagement.

In another major achievement earlier this month, Joby announced it has successfully completed static load testing on a FAA-conforming tail structure of the aircraft, marking the first time the Company had tested a major aerostructure for FAA credit.

Joby is the first eVTOL manufacturer to complete three of five stages of the FAA type certification program and is more than 40 percent complete with the Company’s work for the fourth stage.

Joby’s electric air taxi is designed to carry a pilot and up to four passengers at speeds of up to 200 mph, offering high-speed mobility with a fraction of the noise produced by helicopters and zero operating emissions.

About Joby

Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE:JOBY) is a California-based transportation company developing an all-electric, vertical take-off and landing air taxi which it intends to operate as part of a fast, quiet, and convenient service in cities around the world. 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 type certification; our business plan, objectives, goals and market opportunity; our current expectations relating to our business, financial condition, results of operations, prospects, capital needs and growth of our operations; and the expected benefits of our vertically-integrated business model, including the ability to rapidly bring new technologies to market. 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; 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, 2024, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on November 6, 2024, 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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Joby Aviation

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Source: Joby Aviation, Inc.

FAQ

What milestone did Joby Aviation (JOBY) achieve in FAA certification testing?

Joby Aviation conducted its first FAA testing under Type Inspection Authorization (TIA), entering the final phase of certification for its electric air taxi, with FAA pilots evaluating human factors and safety elements in a simulator.

When will Joby Aviation (JOBY) begin TIA flight testing?

Joby Aviation is targeting 2025 to begin TIA flight testing with its first FAA-conforming aircraft, which is currently being built at their facility in Marina, California.

How many FAA certification stages has Joby Aviation (JOBY) completed?

Joby Aviation has completed three of five FAA certification stages and is more than 40% complete with the fourth stage, making it the first eVTOL manufacturer to reach this milestone.

What are the performance specifications of Joby Aviation's (JOBY) electric air taxi?

Joby's electric air taxi is designed to carry a pilot and up to four passengers at speeds of up to 200 mph, with zero operating emissions and significantly less noise compared to helicopters.

What type of testing did Joby Aviation (JOBY) complete with FAA pilots?

Four FAA test pilots completed three days of TIA testing, evaluating pilot workload, physical ergonomics of the flight deck, and other human factors aspects of aircraft safety using an FAA-conforming flight deck in a simulator.