eVTOL Training: Evolving, But Not There Yet

In this article, CAT magazine explores the next phase of the eVTOL sector, beginning with Joby Aviation

The training infrastructure needed to support commercial eVTOL operations is beginning to take shape, but significant gaps remain.

The training of eVTOL pilots and aircraft maintenance technicians (AMTs) is just beginning as various Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) move toward certification and delivery of their clean energy transports.

While test pilots for these new aircraft exist, a few training devices have been delivered, and eVTOL pilot schools launched, it is unknown how many pilots and AMTs have begun training to be part of commercial service.

“The story isn’t the rush to certification, but the lack of eVTOL aircraft and instructors for this evolving form of clean air transportation,” said Kenneth Swartz, founder of Aeromedia Consulting, who has followed the eVTOL sector since its inception. “The challenge is finding and training enough pilots, or at least those with powered-lift licenses to begin training.”

Standards of training, syllabus and instruction aids for prospective eVTOL pilots and AMTs, plus testing, validation and licensing of eVTOL aircraft have yet to converge, but there are materials being produced.

“Through partnerships with innovators such as Joby Aviation, Vertical, and Eve Air Mobility, we are helping build the foundation for pilot readiness by developing simulators and training programs tailored to this new market,” said Camille Mariamo, Vice President Strategy, OEMs & Customer Experience for global aviation training and simulation specialist CAE.

“While the timing of commercial deployment will ultimately depend on certification and regulatory approvals, the industry is actively preparing today to ensure pilots and maintenance personnel have access to the training standards and technologies needed to operate safely from day one.”

Joby Aviation is one OEM putting that training infrastructure in place.  President of Operations Bonny Simi told CAT how the company planned to train pilots at its academy in Watsonville, California.

“There are two parts to our pilot training program,” Simi said, in an interview. “There is the initial [ab initio] Part 61 program to becoming a [VFR] pilot in a fixed-wing aircraft. The second part is eVTOL pilot training, which is a separate program.”

Part 61 Regulations allow an FAA-approved flight instructor to train a student pilot, independently or as part of an FAA-approved flight school, while Part 141 regulations require an instructor to be employed by a flight school. Joby achieved Part 141 status about a year ago and has trained over 1,000 students on its ground school program.

eVTOL operators must also obtain a Part 135 air carrier certificate to fly passengers or cargo.

Private-licensed rated pilots must first obtain an instrument, commercial and certified fight instructor (CFI) rating before they can fly passengers in an eVTOL aircraft.

Pilots in Joby’s ab initio program will be trained in Vans RV-12s, an American two-seat, single engine low-wing sport and trainer aircraft, with a Rotax 912 ULS engine. The aircraft is sold in kit form.

At present, all of Joby’s pilots are test pilots; some will become flight instructors, while others could become eVTOL line pilots.

“I am passionate about increasing the pilot population and doing it at a low cost,” said Simi.

Simi  is former Olympic athlete and commentator, TV news reporter and airline pilot.

Asked if Joby plans to hire fixed-wing, rotorcraft pilots or both for eVTOL operations, Simi said: “For commercial operations over several years, we will use very experienced pilots with thousands of hours of flight time. Most will be airplane pilots. Yet some members of my team are powered-lift pilots out of the military. They include V22 Osprey, Harrier and F-35 pilots.”

A powered lift aircraft is one capable of vertical takeoff, landing and hovering like a helicopter, but can fly like an airplane during cruise flight.

Building the Training Pipeline

Joby has ongoing partnerships with training solutions providers CAE and FlightSafety International (FSI). For now, all initial eVTOL ground and flight training will occur in-house.

Joby has received a fixed-base S4 Level 7 Flight Training Device (FTD) from CAE. Onboard software is designed by Joby, while the FTD features CAE’s Prodigy image generator, which uses gaming technology to produce realistic 3D urban visuals. Later this year, Joby will receive its first CAE Level C full flight simulator (FFS).

“CAE’s immersive environment leverages AI to create detailed 3D buildings and lifelike urban environments,” according to CAE.

The FFS includes audio clues, turbulence and vibration systems that mirror flight conditions. Both simulators feature a 300-by-130-degree field of view. Once operational, the FFS will enable Joby to expand its eVTOL pilot training pipeline, with the ability to train up to 250 pilots annually.

“These high-fidelity simulators are designed to be a digital twin of our aircraft,” said Simi.

Joby’s production S4 aircraft is a five-seat (one pilot and four passenger) eVTOL air taxi using six tilting propellers. Maximum projected speed of the production S4 is 200 mph (322 km) with a range of 100 miles.

CAE has focused mainly on training solutions for future eVTOL pilots rather than providing actual eVTOL training, but that could change, according to various sources.

In May 2024, CAE published a report stating that eVTOL aircraft would require new approaches to training, reflecting greater reliance on autonomy hardware and software. Training platforms could incoporate Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (XR) and Augmented Reality (AR) alongside new eVTOL-specific pilot skill sets.

New eVTOL pilot skill sets would be part of the training programs.

Training also would include ground safety, aircraft access and egress ground operations, and simplified vehicle operations (SVO), including single pilot configuration and highly automated platforms.

Although still early in development, the civil role of autonomous eVTOL operations must be considered eventually, according to CAE.

From Training to Operations

How quickly that training infrastructure will be needed depends, in part, on when commercial operations begin.

Simi did not address Joby’s schedule for certification and operating of the S4, but said: “We hope to launch commercial operations first in Dubai by the end of this year. It will be tight, if we get there.”

Simi said Dubai would serve as a proving ground to the rest of the world regarding eVTOL operations.

Like other eVTOL developers, Joby is participating in FAA’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) that is designed to accelerate the deployment of Advanced Air Mobility aircraft, like eVTOLs. Being part of the eIPP allows eVTOL operators to run commercial operations and demonstration flights prior to type certification.

In mid-September 2026, Joby launched week-long White House-backed eVTOL air taxi demonstration flights across the Dallas-Ft. Worth region to urban airports, including the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport. These flights are part of Joby’s 2026 Electric Skies Tour campaign.

These flights over Texas will be followed by a month-long, 10-state cross-country tour of Joby’s autonomous J208 aircraft—a modified Cessna 208B Caravan—to demonstrate technology for emergency response, commercial freight and defense logistics.

“Advanced Air Mobility vehicles are the future of aviation and these demonstrations in Texas are critical to getting us there,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, former president and CEO of Republic Airways. “The FAA is leveraging data from test flights in Texas and across the country to ensure these new aircraft integrate safely into the airspace.”

Joby’s certification pathway is broken down into five stages. The company will soon complete Stage 4 and will move on to Stage 5.

It received its Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in May 2024, but still requires further certification before it can provide passenger service.

In late February 2026, Joby announced a partnership with Uber, introducing Uber Air to the flying public, who can book air taxis via the Uber app. In 2021, Joby acquired Uber’s Elevate division, which helped establish the urban air mobility sector. The partnership helps pave the way for Joby’s eVTOL air taxi services in various markets, including New York City, Los Angeles and Dubai.

Dubai locals and the traveling public are well aware of Joby’s planned operation there, thanks to a vigorous marketing campaign. Joby’s planned Dubai operation has received high-profile backing from the emirate’s government, with the aircraft showcased at events attended by members of Dubai’s ruling Al Maktoum family.

Meanwhile, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Skyports Infrastructure are building numerous vertiports to support eVTOL operations throughout the metropolitan area. The first vertiport at Dubai International Airport (DXB) is complete. The second structure was due for completion sometime in September 2026, with two more vertiports to be added in early 2027.

“They are very eager for us to come,” said Simi.

Maintainer Training

Pilots are only one part of that readiness challenge.Joby is also creating its own eVTOL maintenance-training program.

The company will hire AMTs with an airframe and powerplant A&P/AMT license and then train them on maintaining the eVTOL S4.

“There is more of a mechanics shortage today than a pilot shortage in the country [U.S.],” said Simi. “We are developing a formal S4 type-rating program for training mechanics on our eVTOL aircraft.”

There are two ways to obtain an A&P/AMT license, said Simi. One is to go to an academy, a Part 147 school to obtain a light-sport repairman certificate.

“We are one of four certificate-granting organizations in the country for light-sport repairman certifications,” she said.

Another way is to gain several months of experience with Joby working on the OEM’s fixed-wing training aircraft.

“Then they can take a written and practical test for an A&P/AMT license that is customized for eVTOL aircraft,” said Simi.

The company is producing the various instruction manuals for pilots and AMTs.

Together, those efforts show an eVTOL training ecosystem beginning to take shape, but one that still has to mature alongside the aircraft, regulation and the infrastructure it will support.