Joby Aviation has begun final assembly of its first company-conforming electric, vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft aiming the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certification required to begin commercial passenger operations.
The aircraft, which is the first to be produced at Joby’s pilot manufacturing facility in Marina, California, is already with the major aerostructures of the aircraft – the wing, tail, and fuselage. Joby is now beginning the process of mating the structures together and installing the wiring, electronics, actuation, and propulsion systems on its pilot production line. The company expects the aircraft to begin flight testing in the first half of 2023.
At this stage, all parts documentation, engineering drawings and other details are tested and made available to the FAA as part of the aircraft certification process.
“Beginning final assembly of our first company-conforming aircraft is a critical achievement for Joby and a landmark for the wider eVTOL industry.”
Didier Papadopoulos, Head of Aircraft OEM at Joby.