Joby Aviation, renowned for its pioneering work in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, has successfully completed its pre-production flight test program, a significant milestone as it transitions to more advanced stages of testing using its production prototype aircraft.
"Over the course of this test program, our team has shown the world how real electric air taxis are, with tens of thousands of miles flown using today’s battery technology," said JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby. "Our pre-production aircraft were the second full-scale generation of Joby’s design, and their performance met or exceeded our predictions throughout the program, successfully achieving our targets for maximum range, speed, and a revolutionary acoustic footprint."
The company's intensive flight testing over the past four years involved more than 1,500 flights and covered over 33,000 miles, demonstrating significant advancements in range, speed, and noise reduction. These tests included over 100 piloted flights and a notable electric air taxi exhibition flight over the Hudson River from Manhattan in November 2023.
"Successfully completing this rigorous test program has allowed us to proceed to ramp production with full confidence, the second of which rolled off the line at our production line in Marina, California, earlier this week. Learnings from the flight test program have been invaluable to our certification program and to the broader development of regulatory frameworks around electric VTOL aircraft, validating the performance, safety, and acoustics of our design while providing insight into daily operations and maintenance," Bevirt added.
Joby's achievements include a record 154.6-mile flight on a single charge in 2021 and speeds exceeding 200 miles per hour. The partnership with NASA in 2022 helped validate the aircraft’s minimal noise impact, a crucial factor for operating within urban environments.
Moreover, the expanded flight test program in 2023 and the training of U.S. Air Force pilots to operate eVTOL aircraft have further underscored Joby's role at the forefront of electric aviation.
James Denham, Joby Chief Test Pilot, remarked, "Over the past four years, we thoroughly tested and studied our aircraft in flight, from precision landing and outwash to human factors. We often flew multiple flights per day, demonstrating our ability to fly in a wide variety of weather and operational conditions. As a result, we have the most experienced and professional eVTOL flight test team in the world, and I’m proud to be a part of this program."
As Joby moves forward, its second pre-production prototype will serve in research and development for future aviation technologies, aiming to transform urban mobility with efficient, quiet, and sustainable air travel.
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