CA-based Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE:JOBY) is a major player in the development of all-electric aircraft for commercial passenger service.
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Last week, Joby Aviation received a Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate from the FAA, “allowing Joby to begin on-demand commercial air taxi operations,” says the company press release.
Joby’s all-electric aircraft will transport a pilot and four passengers up to 150 miles on a single charge, at speeds of up to 200 mph.
The Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate is the first FAA approval Joby needs to operate their electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft as an air taxi. The Joby Aviation Part 135 certificate allows the company to operate as an air carrier: the vehicles, new to market, will also require a Type Certificate and a Production Certificate to carry passengers. Joby says that they are targeting Type Certification for 2023, “with Production Certification soon to follow.”
Bonny Simi, Head of Air Operations and People at Joby, and one of the Company’s FAA-approved pilots, stated: “The procedures we’ve prepared lay a foundation for our future eVTOL operations. Over the coming months, we will use our Part 135 certificate to exercise the operations and customer technology platforms that will underpin our multi-modal ridesharing service, while also refining our procedures to ensure seamless journeys for our customers.”
“Receiving this certificate ahead of schedule is a testament to the incredible dedication and hard work of our team,” added Simi.
While the certification process moves forward, Joby is getting ready to develop their workforce. “Pilots for the Company’s future aerial ridesharing service, expected to launch in 2024, will have the benefit of flying an environmentally-friendly aircraft on a reliable work schedule, ending each shift in their home city,” says the company.
Nick Grewal, CEO, president and founder of eVTOL company ePropelled, says that the FAA certification is a step forward – but that more work needs to be done to develop clear Type Certification regulations for eVTOL vehicles.
“Congratulations to Joby Aviation Inc. for their FAA certification to begin commercial air taxi services,” says Grewal. “Even though the FAA has made special class process, under the FAR 21.17(b) [Type Certification for Very Light Aircraft] with Part 23, they need to continue developing more comprehensive FAR regulations and standards for the eVTOL segment of the market, for the manned and unmanned air vehicle industry. It will help accelerate the growth of the entire industry!”
Read more about Joby Aviation:
- Joby Aviation Inks Major Deal to Snag Parking Spots for Urban Air Taxis
- Aerial Ride-Sharing: Joby Aviation on Safety, Noise, and the Future of Your Commute
- Joby Aviation Air Taxi: First Footage of Vehicle in Flight [VIDEO]
- Uber Elevate Sells to Joby Aviation: The Advance of Air Taxis and Urban Air Mobility
- Publicly Traded Advanced Air Mobility Companies: Lilium, Archer Join Joby, Ehang
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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