Joby Aviation began flight testing of its first FAA‑conforming aircraft, N547JX, marking a critical step toward type certification and the launch of commercial air‑taxi service. The testing started on March 11, 2026, and the company announced the milestone on March 12.
Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) is the final certification stage required for commercial operation. FAA pilots will conduct rigorous flight tests later in 2026, and this milestone brings Joby closer to unlocking commercial operations.
"Seeing this aircraft fly means everything to our team. It's the validation of years of hard work and marks our entry into the final phase of bringing this aircraft to market," said Didier Papadopoulos, President of Aircraft OEM at Joby. He added, "After focusing on 'for-credit' testing at both the equipment and system levels, we're now moving into the final phase of aircraft‑level evaluations. This is evidence that our rigorous design and certification process is paying off, and we look forward to welcoming FAA pilots to Marina in due course."
In Q4 2025, Joby reported revenue of $30.84 million, beating the $16.18 million consensus, and a net loss of $122 million. Earnings per share of –$0.14 surpassed the –$0.23 forecast, a beat of $0.09, driven by stronger revenue and disciplined cost management. The company ended the quarter with $1.4 billion in cash and raised an additional $1.2 billion, reinforcing its financial position as it scales production.
The flight‑testing milestone follows Joby’s selection for the White House‑backed eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, which allows early operations in 10 U.S. states. Joby’s vertically integrated model—designing, building, and operating its own fleet—has enabled rapid progress and reduced reliance on external suppliers. The company plans to scale production to four aircraft per month by 2027 and aims for U.S. commercial operations in 2026, with potential earlier launches abroad.
Joby faces competition from Archer Aviation and is involved in legal disputes with the rival. Despite these headwinds, the company’s certification progress and financial resilience position it well to capture market share in the emerging air‑taxi sector.
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