Joby Aviation assembles aircraft in Marina for flight testing

Joby Aviation Moves Closer to Commercial Air Taxi Launch

Joby Aviation, a pioneer in the development of all-electric, vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air taxis, is making significant strides toward commercial flight. The company is currently preparing for the final assembly of the first conforming aircraft intended for Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) flight testing. This critical step marks the culmination of years of effort and is a key milestone in the certification process.

The aircraft assembled for TIA flight testing is being built at Joby’s facility in Marina. According to the company, pilots are expected to begin flying this aircraft this year, followed by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilots who will directly evaluate its performance and safety. This phase is essential to the certification process and represents the fifth and final stage of type certification.

“Every component, every system, and every test we have completed over the past 15 years has led us to this point,” said Didier Papadopoulos, Joby president of aircraft OEM, in a press release. “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 has been operating in Marina for approximately seven years and recently launched full operations at its expanded facility. The site, which spans 220,000 square feet at the Marina Municipal Airport, allows the company to produce up to 24 aircraft per year. This expansion brings the total occupied space at the airport to 435,500 square feet. The facility also supports key capabilities such as initial FAA production certification, conforming ground and flight testing, pilot training simulators, and aircraft maintenance.

Key Components of TIA Flight Testing

Type Inspection Authorization flight testing involves three core initiatives aligned with FAA standards: 1) relevant test plan approvals, 2) a design that meets FAA requirements, and 3) the ability to manufacture the conforming design. Joby has successfully advanced all three aspects ahead of assembly, including FAA acceptance of more than half of the company’s test plans. This progress positions the company closer to achieving full certification for its electric air taxi.

The final assembly of the first conforming aircraft is the result of extensive development, manufacturing, and flight testing of multiple prototypes. These efforts validated the design and capabilities of the aircraft. For instance, static load testing was conducted on primary aerostructures, applying forces far beyond what would be expected during normal flight. This provided critical data and confirmed the structural integrity of the aircraft. Additionally, components and systems were tested with instrumentation and sensor calibration to meet TIA requirements.

“We said we’d deliver a conforming aircraft in 2025 and that’s exactly what we’re doing, all in alignment with FAA support,” said Papadopoulos.

Progress in Certification and Expansion

Joby is currently 70% complete on its side of stage four of the FAA type certification program, while the FAA is more than 50% complete on its part — an increase of 10 points from the first quarter of 2025, according to the company’s Second Quarter 2025 Shareholder Letter.

“This is a pivotal moment. Regulatory progress around the world is unlocking market access, our commercialization strategy is taking hold, and we’re now focused on scaling production to meet real demand — a challenge we’re fully committed to and working hard to deliver on,” said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, in the newsletter.

Expanding Manufacturing and Global Reach

Joby’s Marina facility is one of three locations in California, alongside its headquarters in Santa Cruz and a facility in San Carlos, which focuses on powertrain and electronics. A fourth facility in Munich supports roles such as process engineering, manufacturing engineering, quality inspection, and computer numerical control operations.

In September 2024, Joby selected Dayton, Ohio, as the location for its scaled manufacturing facility, which will have the capacity to produce up to 500 eVTOL aircraft per year.

Future of Electric Air Taxis

Joby Aviation has designed and is producing an electric air taxi capable of carrying a pilot and four passengers at speeds up to 200 mph. The aircraft offers high-speed mobility with significantly less noise than helicopters and produces zero operating emissions. The company plans to operate these aircraft as part of aerial ridesharing networks in cities and communities worldwide.