California-based all-electric aircraft developer Joby Aviation (Marina) has received a Part 135 air carrier certificate from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), allowing it to begin ad-hoc commercial air taxi operations, the company announced.
Part 135 certification is one of three FAA approvals required - alongside a type certificate and a production certificate - for Joby to operate its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft as an air taxi service in cities and communities across the United States.
Joby received the certification ahead of schedule. Completion of the process was initially expected in the second half of 2022.
“Over the coming months, we will use our Part 135 certificate to exercise the operations and customer technology platforms that will underpin our multi-modal ridesharing service while also refining our procedures,” commented Head of Air Operations and People, Bonny Simi.
Once Joby receives a type certificate for its eVTOL aircraft, the company will complete the FAA review process to add the new aircraft type to its existing air carrier certificate.
Pilots for the company’s future aerial ridesharing service, expected to launch in 2024, will benefit from flying an environmentally-friendly aircraft on a reliable work schedule, ending each shift in their home city.
Joby previously announced a partnership with CAE, a global leader in aviation training, to develop and qualify flight simulation training devices that Joby will use to train commercially-rated pilots to fly its eVTOL aircraft.
Joby’s all-electric aircraft is designed to transport a pilot and four passengers up to 241 kilometres on a single charge at speeds of up to 322 km/h and a low noise profile to operate in built-up areas.
