Joby Aviation’s new eVTOL aircraft will be equipped with Garmin’s G3000 integrated flight deck under a long-term agreement announced by the two companies today. The avionics selection marks the first major systems supplier announcement for Joby.
The selection of the G3000 avionics suite confirms that Joby’s all-electric eVTOL aircraft, which is expected to enter service in 2024, will be flown by a pilot. But Garmin’s work on autonomous products such as its Autoland automatic emergency landing system suggests that it might be preparing to supply avionics for aircraft that will eventually fly without a human pilot on board.
Garmin introduced the G3000 technology back in 2009. It is now in service with multiple business and private aircraft, including the Embraer Phenom 300, HondaJet, Cessna Citation M2, and CJ3+, Cirrus Vision Jet, Daher TBM 930/940, and Piper M600.
The Joby eVTOL will be able to fly at up to 200 mph and carry four passengers up to 150 miles without recharging. It is expected to enter commercial service in 2024.
In addition to high-resolution displays, touchscreen control, and synthetic vision, the G3000 avionics include communications and navigation functions. The avionics will integrate with the Joby eVTOL’s vehicle mission computer and will offer tailored flight guidance display indications, according to Garmin. “Further, the G3000 integrated flight deck will be architected to provide the ability to efficiently facilitate future system upgrades as the advanced aerial mobility industry continues to evolve,” the company added in a statement.
Garmin is among the first established avionics suppliers to be publicly selected for one of the new eVTOL aircraft now in development. Other aerospace groups including Honeywell, Thales, Safran, and BAE Systems are also trying to get established in the advanced air mobility sector.
The news from Joby Aviation, came a day after the company announced it has started receiving its first revenues from work under a U.S. Air Force for the Agility Prime program to assess the suitability of eVTOL aircraft for military missions. The company also confirmed that the FAA has agreed to let it use the G1 requirements for certifying its aircraft under Part 23 Amendment 64 rules.
This story is from FutureFlight.aero, a news and information resource developed by AIN to provide objective, independent coverage and analysis of cutting-edge aviation technology, including electric aircraft developments and advanced air mobility.