Joby Begins Final Assembly of First Conforming Aircraft for FAA TIA Testing

Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE:JOBY), a developer of electric air taxis for commercial passenger service, announced today that it is preparing to begin final assembly of its first conforming aircraft, which is intended for Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) flight testing.

TIA testing marks a significant step in the FAA certification process and represents the alignment of three key milestones: approval of applicable test plans, a design that meets FAA standards, and readiness to manufacture that conforming design. Joby has made progress across all three areas, including receiving FAA acceptance for more than half of its test plans.

This milestone brings the company closer to completing the FAA certification process and advancing toward the commercial launch of its electric air taxi service.

Joby expects its own test pilots to begin flying the conforming aircraft in 2025, with FAA pilots to follow shortly after for independent evaluation of the aircraft’s performance and safety. These flight tests are a critical component of the certification process and form a core element of the fifth and final phase of type certification.

The final assembly of this aircraft represents the culmination of years of design, manufacturing, and testing efforts. Previous testing included extensive static load tests on the primary aerostructures, during which engineers applied forces well beyond expected in-flight conditions to validate the aircraft’s structural integrity.

In parallel, key systems and components were evaluated and equipped with instrumentation and calibrated sensors necessary to support upcoming TIA testing.