Joby enters final assembly phase ahead of flight test milestone

The FAA has accepted more than half of Joby’s test plans as the company moves toward final certification and commercial readiness.

Joby Aviation is preparing for final assembly of its first conforming aircraft intended for Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) flight tests, a key step toward FAA type certification. The company has progressed three major FAA-aligned initiatives: test plan approvals, conforming design, and manufacturing readiness. FAA has now accepted more than half of its test plans.

“Every component, every system, and every test we have completed over the past 15 years has led us to this point,” says 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 fly the aircraft in 2025, followed by FAA pilots. This testing is part of the fifth and final certification stage. The aircraft follows years of development, manufacturing, and testing, including static load testing and instrumentation calibration. Papadopoulos adds: “Meeting our TIA goals is a direct reflection of our team’s extraordinary dedication.”

The company says its vertical integration strategy, manufacturing expansion in California and Ohio, and support from Toyota will enable it to double production capacity to 24 aircraft per year.