Joby Prepares Aircraft for Final FAA Testing

Joby Aviation is entering final assembly for its first conforming electric air taxi, which will be used in FAA Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) flight testing. TIA testing is a key step toward FAA certification, requiring FAA-approved test plans, an FAA-compliant design, and manufacturing capabilities that match the certified design.

The company reported that it has completed testing on major components, aerostructures, and systems, with the FAA accepting over half of its submitted test plans. Assembly is taking place at Joby's facility in Marina, California.

“Every component, every system, and every test we have completed over the past 15 years has led us to this point,” said Didier Papadopoulos, President of Aircraft OEM. “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.”

Joby expects its own pilots to begin flights in 2025, with FAA pilots to follow. These evaluations are part of the fifth and final stage of type certification.

Earlier testing included static load tests that exceeded expected flight forces and validated structural integrity. System and sensor calibration tests also contributed critical data for upcoming inspections.

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

The company credits its vertical integration approach for maintaining control over design, production, and testing timelines. Joby’s recent expansions in California and Ohio, along with its partnership with Toyota, are expected to support a production rate of 24 aircraft per year.