Joby Aviation has begun the fourth of five stages to receive the FAA Part 135 air carrier certificate it needs to launch ride-sharing services with its all-electric, four-passenger eVTOL passenger aircraft in 2024. The California-based company reported the milestone on March 15 as it continues work to also earn both type and production certification for the four-passenger model.
After filing an initial application for a Part 135 certificate in June 2021, Joby completed the second stage in August, which included the submission of a complete package of manuals. The third and fourth stages involve FAA review and approval of manuals and FAA observation of the company performing operations to ensure full regulatory compliance.
Joby entered the fourth stage of the process last week, as FAA representatives began to observe Joby’s initial cadre of pilot instructors demonstrating mastery of training and operational procedures using the company’s manuals and training program. The fifth phase involves FAA final approval and issuance of the Part 135 certificate, which the company hopes to have in hand later this year so that it can start trial operations with existing fixed-wing aircraft and/or rotorcraft.
“Our aspiration is to not just build and certify a revolutionary aircraft but to operate a commercial passenger service that saves people time with minimal impact on the environment,” said Bonny Simi, head of air operations and people at Joby. “Achieving Part 135 certification unlocks the ability to do that, and we’re moving through the process ahead of schedule.”
Joby has not commented on the effect to its schedules of a February 16 accident involving the first of two eVTOL prototypes during flight testing in California. A March 8 U.S. National Transportation Safety Board preliminary report on the accident said the aircraft (designated JAS4-2) experienced an unspecified component failure over an uninhabited area during remotely piloted flight testing. Investigators reported no injuries but said the aircraft suffered substantial damage with a fire breaking out on the ground.
Joby in January added a second prototype to the flight testing program as part of the work it is doing with the U.S. Air Force's Agility Prime program to evaluate possible military applications for eVTOL aircraft.
