Joby Aviation hits range, noise target milestones

According to a report published by Aviation Week on Aug. 6, Joby Aviation (Santa Cruz, Calif., U.S.) has achieved several range and noise targets throughout the month of July for its composites-intensive all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, all of which are to lead up to its path toward certification and eventual public introduction.

These achievements include a 150-mile flight of its S4 prototype on a single charge — including a vertical take-off and landing — which was completed at Joby’s Electric Flight Base in Big Sur, Calif., earlier in July. The aircraft successfully completed 11 laps of a predefined circuit for one hour and 17 minutes, and is what Joby believes to be the longest eVTOL flight performed to date. The company also noted that the prototype aircraft uses commercially available lithium-ion batteries that have been adapted for aerospace use, which includes an 811 nickel-manganese-cobalt oxide (NMC) cathode and a graphite anode cell, which reportedly help meet cycle life and vertical take-off demands.

The S4’s comparative noise tests against other aircraft have also been tested against a series of fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft over a calibrated microphone array, including three helicopters (a Robinson R44, Bell 206 and Leonardo AW109) and two fixed-wing models (a Cirrus SR22 and a Beechcraft Baron 55). No result details have yet been released.

Most importantly, Joby has continued to pursue certification. In addition to G1 certification announced in February, Joby is in the process of attaining its Part 135 air carrier certificate from the FAA, with the goal to operate its own eVTOLs on commercial aerial ride-sharing services in U.S. cities in 2024. Part 23 type certification for the S4, as well as production certification of the assembly line that will manufacture it, are underway as well.

Although target launch markets are not due to be announced until later this year, Joby has indicated Los Angeles, Miami, New York and the San Francisco Bay Area as possible initial markets.

Read the full report at Aviation Week.