On March 11, 2026, Joby Aviation announced that it has begun flight testing its first Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-conforming aircraft.
Unlike earlier prototypes, the aircraft used in these tests (with registration N547JX) is already the final design built for the Type Inspection Authorization (TIA). It has been built to FAA Designated Engineering Representative-approved designs and signed off by FAA Designated Airworthiness Representatives.
The flight test also marks the start of Stage 5 in the FAA’s aircraft-level evaluation, the final phase of the aircraft Type Certification process. It follows a long evaluation and testing process through which FAA officials have assessed each of the aircraft’s systems separately.
Joby announced the start of this test phase just two days after the company was selected as one of the eight partners to take part in the United States Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) Integration Pilot Program (eIPP).
This governmental initiative, launched under the aegis of the “Unleashing American Drone Dominance” Executive Order in June 2025, aims to accelerate the roll out of advanced air mobility operations and facilitate the development of the related industrial ecosystem in the US.
It is under this program that Joby plans to start operations before the end of 2026, testing its eVTOL aircraft in a variety of scenarios and use cases across several states (Arizona, Florida, Idaho, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas and Utah).
Other prominent advanced air mobility startups, such as Archer Aviation, BETA Technologies, Electra, Wisk, Ampaire, Elroy Air and Reliable Robotics, have also been selected to take part in these test programs, which will run in partnership with different states, cities and other public organizations throughout the US.