Chapter 1: FAA Approval for Joby’s Air Taxi Initiative

Joby Aviation has recently received approval from the FAA, allowing the company to commence testing and further develop the technological framework necessary for its future air taxi service. This includes the pilot-facing coordination systems and a consumer application. However, it’s important to note that Joby’s prototype electric vertical-take-off and landing vehicle (commonly referred to as an “eVTOL”) still requires FAA-type certification.

Joby Aviation

The FAA has officially authorized Joby’s Air Taxi Service, paving the way for commercial operations. This significant milestone marks the early attainment of an FAA Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate, which is essential for the company’s air taxi ambitions. Although Joby is now permitted to function as an air carrier, the eVTOL prototype still awaits FAA-type approval.

Joby Aviation

With the FAA granting Joby Aviation (NYSE: JOBY) a Part 135 air carrier permit, the company is positioned to begin its on-demand commercial air taxi operations. Following this certification, Joby will undertake an FAA review process to incorporate the new aircraft type into its existing air carrier license. The announcement came ahead of the company’s expectations, after a rigorous five-stage procedure that involved the submission of over 850 pages of documentation.

Joby officials had initially projected certification for later in the year. Given that Joby aims to provide short, local flights, there will be no overnight stays for aircrew. While the Bay Area-based startup has received its Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate, it is important to note that customers won’t be able to book flights immediately, as the company still requires two additional FAA certifications before it can legally transport passengers.

Joby Aviation

This certification allows Joby to refine its six-rotor flying taxi. “The procedures we’ve established lay the groundwork for our future eVTOL operations,” stated Bonny Simi, Joby’s head of air operations and personnel.

Chapter 2: Advancements in Multi-Mode Transportation

In the first video, titled "Joby's Air Taxi Service: The Pilots," viewers can gain insights into the operational aspects of Joby’s air taxi service and how pilots will be integrated into this innovative transportation model.

The second video, "Joby Aviation Receives FAA Permit to Fly its First eVTOL Built on Production Line," discusses the significance of the FAA permit and how it impacts Joby’s production line and future operations.

Following the acquisition of Uber Elevate, Joby is actively developing the necessary applications and software to facilitate multi-modal journeys. Customers will be able to specify their travel needs, and Joby will seamlessly coordinate ground transport to the nearest vertiport, timed perfectly with the arrival of the eVTOL aircraft. The company anticipates that it will achieve these objectives and begin integrating eVTOLs into its commercial offerings by 2024.