Joby Starts Assembly Company-conforming Aircraft

Joby Aviation, a California-based company producing electric aircraft, has begun the assembly of what is regarded as the “first company-conforming” electric, vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

Joby says the aircraft to be produced at its manufacturing facility in Marina, California is a “landmark” and an important step to achieve the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certification before the company can kick off commercialization. The aircraft will begin flight testing in the first half of 2023.

“Beginning final assembly of our first company-conforming aircraft is a critical achievement for Joby and a landmark for the wider eVTOL industry,” said Didier Papadopoulos, Head of Aircraft OEM at Joby, adding that it provides an opportunity to test its quality management system, which is part of its product certification progress.

A product has to go through two conformity stages which are company-conforming, where the aircraft is built according to released designs and under the purview of a fully-implemented quality management system, and FAA-conforming, where the aircraft is ready to begin testing for credit with the FAA.

Joby Aviation has recently finished its second stage of certification required by the FAA, with 94% of the Means of Compliance being accepted.

Major assembling process of the wing, tail and fuselage has been completed. The company is working on mating the structures together and installing the wiring, electronics, actuation and propulsion systems.

Joby is exploring other U.S. states for Phase 1 production facility construction apart from the one it has in California.

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