- Joby Aviation has started FAA-conforming flight testing of its electric air taxi aircraft for Type Inspection Authorization.
- The company is expanding manufacturing capacity in the United States to scale production of eVTOL aircraft.
Electric aviation developer Joby Aviation has initiated a significant certification milestone for its electric air taxi program. The California-based company announced that it has begun flight testing its first Federal Aviation Administration-conforming aircraft designed for Type Inspection Authorization testing. This phase represents a crucial step toward regulatory approval and commercial passenger operations, bringing the company closer to deploying electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft within the emerging advanced air mobility ecosystem.
FAA-Conforming Aircraft Begins Certification Flight Testing
The aircraft, registered as N547JX, is the first in a dedicated fleet being produced to support Type Inspection Authorization testing with the Federal Aviation Administration. The initial flights are being conducted by Joby’s own pilots before FAA test pilots visit the company’s Marina, California facility in 2026. During this stage, regulators will evaluate the aircraft’s performance, safety systems, and operational reliability to validate its readiness for commercial passenger service in the United States.
Manufacturing Expansion and Strategic Support
The aircraft used for testing has been assembled using an airframe and components built to designs approved by FAA Designated Engineering Representatives. Most of the aircraft’s components are designed, engineered, tested, and manufactured internally by Joby Aviation. The company has also received strong industrial backing from Toyota, which has invested approximately USD 894 million and contributed manufacturing expertise to support certification progress and large-scale production of the electric air taxi platform.
To support future fleet deployment, the company has expanded its manufacturing footprint across the United States. In 2025, Joby completed an expansion of its Marina manufacturing facility and began propeller blade production in Ohio. It also acquired a 700,000 square-foot facility in Dayton, Ohio, which is expected to increase output to four aircraft per month by 2027 and eventually scale production capacity to approximately 500 aircraft annually.
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