JOBY

Certification and Flight Testing

Cluster Description

Commitments to achieve FAA type certification, mature the aircraft via structured testing, and validate real-world operations; the most recent items update earlier timelines.

Commitments

• September 12, 2025: Fly the first of five FAA‑conforming aircraft in 2025 and begin FAA pilot‑on‑board flight testing early 2026, updating earlier August 2025 TIA start guidance.
• August 15, 2025: Demonstrate piloted eVTOL operations between two public airports in FAA‑controlled airspace (12‑minute OAR–MRY flight over 10 nm with ATC sequencing) to signal operational readiness.
• August 15, 2025: Begin final assembly of the first aircraft for Type Inspection Authorization flight testing as one of the last major certification steps.
• August 06, 2025: Report stage‑four type certification progress at 70% on Joby’s side and over 50% on the FAA’s side to advance toward TIA flights.
• May 07, 2025: Achieve routine pilot‑on‑board transition flights from hover to wingborne cruise and back to support certification readiness.
• December 20, 2024: Target the start of TIA flight testing in 2025 as part of the final certification phase.
• December 17, 2024: Complete major aerostructure tests required for FAA type certification.

Manufacturing and Production Scale‑Up

Cluster Description

Commitments to expand and industrialize manufacturing capacity and workforce; the latest capacity statements supersede earlier 2025 updates.

Commitments

• September 12, 2025: Expand manufacturing to double U.S. production capacity to up to 24 aircraft per year across 435,000 square feet, superseding similar August–July 2025 disclosures.
• September 12, 2025: Ramp up manufacturing facilities in Dayton, Ohio to support large‑scale aircraft production, building on July 2025 plans to reach up to 500 aircraft per year.
• July 15, 2025: Add hundreds of full‑time jobs as the expanded Marina, California facility becomes operational to support increased aircraft production.
• July 15, 2025: Continue close collaboration with Toyota engineers to streamline assembly and optimize manufacturing processes.
• May 07, 2025: Take handover of the expanded Marina facility in June 2025 to more than double the manufacturing footprint and support pilot training and maintenance facilities.

Market Entry, Platform Integration, and Commercial Operations

Cluster Description

Commitments that advance entry into passenger service across priority markets and channels, including platform integration and acquired operations; newer timelines override earlier windows where noted.

Commitments

• September 10, 2025: Integrate Blade’s air mobility services into the Uber app so riders can book Blade flights directly as soon as next year.
• August 29, 2025: Continue Blade’s passenger operations as a wholly‑owned subsidiary while preparing to introduce Joby’s eVTOL into service once certified, superseding the planned acquisition announced August 4, 2025.
• August 29, 2025: Integrate Blade’s network and user base into Joby’s apps and services over time to expand access to quiet air travel.
• August 15, 2025: Launch commercial passenger service domestically after certification, beginning in Los Angeles and New York City.
• August 10, 2025: Target carrying first passengers in 2026, superseding prior late‑2025/early‑2026 guidance.
• August 05, 2025: Establish a joint venture to provide air taxi service in Japan in the coming years, planning deployment of more than 100 aircraft and public demo flights October 1–13, 2025.
• June 30, 2025: Advance commercial readiness in Dubai with anticipated passenger service in 2026 and six years of exclusive operating rights.
• June 03, 2025: Explore a distribution agreement in Saudi Arabia for up to 200 aircraft (~$1B) and collaborate to launch local air taxi services.
• May 07, 2025: Launch air taxi service in the UK in partnership with Virgin Atlantic, starting with regional and city connections.
• December 13, 2024: Pursue launch of air taxi operations in South Korea following successful K‑UAM Grand Challenge flight tests.

Defense, Autonomy, and Government Programs

Cluster Description

Commitments to develop dual‑use autonomous and hybrid VTOL capabilities and pursue U.S. defense opportunities, with cross‑pollination into commercial platforms.

Commitments

• September 03, 2025: Pursue long‑term development of dual‑use technologies (Superpilot) applicable to defense and commercial markets.
• September 03, 2025: Position to compete for upcoming Department of Defense autonomous and hybrid aircraft programs aligned with the FY26 budget outlook.
• September 03, 2025: Use lessons from defense exercises to inform integration of autonomous capabilities into the commercial air taxi platform.
• September 03, 2025: Move toward field deployment of dual‑use autonomous technologies following a landmark U.S. defense exercise.
• September 03, 2025: Accelerate autonomous flight technology development following the June 2024 acquisition of Xwing’s autonomy division.
• August 01, 2025: Collaborate with L3Harris on a gas turbine hybrid VTOL for defense, targeting flight testing in fall 2025 and operational demonstrations in 2026.
• August 01, 2025: Demonstrate and deploy dual‑purpose technologies with DoD partners with readiness for 2026 demonstrations.
• August 01, 2025: Advance a gas turbine hybrid powertrain on the S4 platform, citing an industry‑first 561‑mile hydrogen‑electric hybrid flight.
• August 10, 2025: Expand contracts with the Department of Defense and other U.S. government agencies, emphasizing autonomy and hybrid aircraft.
• December 05, 2024: Provide electric aircraft maintenance training for U.S. Air Force personnel under AFWERX Agility Prime to enhance in‑house programs.

Regulatory, Safety, and Training

Cluster Description

Commitments to regulatory engagement, pre‑certification operations pilots, and pilot training and safety systems; the most recent items clarify collaboration pathways.

Commitments

• September 12, 2025: Participate in the White House eVTOL Integration Pilot Program to begin limited operations in select markets ahead of full FAA certification.
• September 12, 2025: Engage with state and local eIPP applicants and potential partners during the 180‑day project selection window.
• September 12, 2025: Work closely with federal, state, and local regulators and communities across multiple states to introduce eVTOL technology.
• December 03, 2024: Establish a pipeline of qualified pilots via FAA Part 141 approval for the Joby Aviation Academy in advance of commercial operations.
• December 03, 2024: Implement a Safety Management System for air operations ahead of the FAA’s Part 135 compliance deadline.
• December 03, 2024: Expand Flight Academy courses and enrollment over the coming years to support workforce needs.
• October 22, 2024: Achieve type certification under the new FAA SFAR and enhance pilot training using high‑fidelity simulators aligned with the rule.

Infrastructure and Ecosystem Build‑Out

Cluster Description

Commitments to build vertiports, charging, and operational support ecosystems with partners across regions to enable scale.

Commitments

• June 30, 2025: Construct the first commercial vertiport at Dubai International Airport with Skyports Infrastructure, on track for completion in Q1 2026.
• December 10, 2024: Install the Global Electric Aviation Charging System (GEACS) at Jetex sites to support Middle East operations and enable seamless connectivity.
• November 12, 2024: Develop an initial network of four vertiports in Dubai integrated with the multimodal transport system, with three additional sites planned.
• August 05, 2025: Accelerate Japan’s air taxi ecosystem by establishing vertiports, pilot training, and maintenance support with local and national partners.
• June 03, 2025: Establish aftermarket services including MRO and pilot training in Saudi Arabia in support of potential aircraft distribution.
• March 15, 2025: Build support for landing infrastructure at key UK airports in partnership with Virgin Atlantic.

Business Model, R&D, and Software Systems

Cluster Description

Commitments to a vertically integrated operating model, increased R&D, and deployment of software systems to drive efficiency and customer experience.

Commitments

• August 10, 2025: Increase investment in research and development as staffing grows to advance aircraft engineering and software.
• August 10, 2025: Build a vertically integrated company that manufactures, operates, and sells eVTOL aircraft targeting high utilization and reduced turnaround times.
• August 04, 2025: Integrate Joby’s ElevateOS software tools into Blade’s operations to improve cost efficiency and passenger experience.
• February 27, 2025: Maintain high daily utilization and reduced turnaround times as core operating metrics post‑launch under the vertically integrated model.

Capital, Funding, and Financial Discipline

Cluster Description

Commitments to secure and manage capital for certification, production, and commercialization, with newer items reflecting closed transactions and updated cash plans.

Commitments

• August 06, 2025: Manage cash usage prudently with an estimated $500–$540 million use in 2025 and quarter‑end cash and investments of $991 million.
• May 27, 2025: Close a $250 million investment from Toyota to support certification and commercial production as part of a strategic manufacturing alliance.
• February 26, 2025: Secure more than $1 billion of additional funding and commitments in Q4 2024 to support scaling and certification.
• October 25, 2024: Use $202 million of gross proceeds from a public equity offering to fund certification and manufacturing, prepare for commercial operations, and for general corporate purposes.