Archer and Joby Demonstrate eVTOL Flight at Salinas Airshow

Two contenders in the challenge to achieve FAA certification for eVTOL aircraft demonstrated their products’ electric flight capabilities at the California International Airshow at Salinas Municipal Airport (KSNS) on October 4 and 5. Archer Aviation took to the skies first, with its Midnight flying in wingborne mode followed by Joby Aviation’s S4 flying both wingborne and transitioning to vertical flight. The appearance was Joby’s first public flight demonstration at a U.S. airshow, according to the company.

Archer has a facility at KSNS, and while the company’s pilot took off and landed the Midnight on Runway 26, it was not transitioned to vertical mode during the demonstration, which included passes along the runway, highlighting the lack of noise produced by its electric powerplants.

Although Joby issued a statement following the airshow claiming that the S4 showed its full capabilities, including “vertical takeoff and landing with full transition to wingborne flight, steep ascent, and a number of other maneuvers required for precise navigation in urban areas.” While the demonstration didn't include a landing or takeoff at KSNS, the statement presumably refers to the takeoff and landing at Joby's nearby factory at Marina Municipal Airport (KOAR).

The test pilot flying the S4 circled over Salinas a few times still wingborne then slowed and transitioned to vertical flight. After transitioning back to wingborne flight, the S4 flew back to KOAR. 

According to FlightAware ADS-B data, it hovered at 400 feet then climbed and descended. After transitioning back to wingborne flight, the S4 flew back to KOAR. Even in vertical mode, the S4 could barely be heard. Top groundspeed during the flight was about 150 mph.

During the two days of the airshow, Joby made two round-trip flights from KOAR to KSNS plus an additional similar flight on October 3, which may have been for practice.

Joby is building six aircraft for FAA type inspection authorization flight testing, which is expected to begin around the end of this year. According to a Joby statement, “The company is in the final stages of FAA certification and plans to carry its first passengers in Dubai in 2026. In the U.S., Joby plans to initially launch in Los Angeles and New York City.”

Although it plans to fly passengers in Dubai next year, Joby has not clarified whether it needs to obtain certification of its eVTOL aircraft in order to do so or whether it will use a conventional aircraft for these flights, at least until the eVTOL is certified. In September 2024, Joby announced that it plans to obtain an air operator certificate in the United Arab Emirates, and it is possible the company could carry passengers in an ordinary airplane, as it has been doing with its U.S. Part 135 charter certificate, which is approved to operate a piston-powered Cirrus SR22.

Although Archer has a base at KSNS, it did not exhibit the aircraft or have a booth at the airshow. Joby brought its S4 mockup to the show and encouraged visitors to sit inside in the four passenger seats and in the single pilot seat.