Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE: JOBY) confirmed that it has a Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration. This certification will enable Joby to start on-demand commercial air taxi operations. Along with a Type Certificate and a Production Certificate, Joby needs the Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate to run its groundbreaking electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft as an air taxi service in towns and villages across the United States.
Joby obtained certification ahead of time, even though the procedure was supposed to be completed in the second half of 2022. Joby’s original batch of pilots had to demonstrate mastery of the Company’s processes and training under FAA observation during the five-stage process, which included the presentation of more than 850 pages of manuals for approval.
Joby will complete the FAA review procedure to add the new aircraft type to its current air carrier certificate once it secures a type certificate for its eVTOL aircraft. Pilots for the Company’s upcoming airborne ride-sharing service, which is set to begin in 2024, will have the advantage of flying an environmentally friendly aircraft on a consistent work schedule, with each shift finishing in their home city.
Joby earlier announced a collaboration with CAE, a global leader in aviation training, to create and test flight simulation training devices that will be used by Joby to train commercially-rated pilots to fly its eVTOL aircraft. On a single charge, Joby’s all-electric aircraft can transport a pilot and four passengers up to 150 miles at speeds of up to 200 mph. Joby recently published the results of acoustic testing conducted by NASA, confirming that the aircraft met the Company’s aim for low noise emissions during take-off and landing, as well as overhead flight.