Published 11/19/2025

Joby eVTOL moves toward final stages of certification, builds global AAM framework

Propeller blade manufacturing in Dayton facility, final stages of FAA type certification and the creation of Middle Eastern air taxis services.

Edited by: Grace Stubbins

Senior Managing Editor, CompositesWorld and Products Finishing

Propeller manufacturing begins

At the end of October 2025, Joby began manufacturing propeller blades at its Dayton, Ohio facility, which further supports eVTOL aircraft production ahead of commercial launch. “Joby’s propeller blades are a key part of what makes our aircraft special — central to its low acoustic profile and the result of a decade of complex engineering,” says Eric Allison, chief production officer at Joby.

Designed for quiet flight and built with extreme precision, the propeller blades require complex carbon fiber manufacturing processes and a highly skilled workforce, both available in Dayton. With five blades per propeller and 30 per aircraft, production could reach up to 15,000 blades a year as part of Joby’s plan to scale in Ohio. Conforming blades — those meeting all requirements for FAA inspection and certification — are expected to be completed this month, with installation on flight test aircraft targeted for 2026.

Over time, Joby’s Dayton footprint is expected to be able to support production of up to 500 aircraft a year, making this facility a strategic site for the mass production of its aircraft components.

Path to commercialization

On Nov. 5, Joby began power-on testing of the first of several Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-conforming aircraft to be built for type inspection authorization (TIA). This enables the company to begin conducting thousands of hardware and software integration tests in preparation for “for credit” flight testing with FAA test pilots operating the aircraft. TIA testing is part of the final stage of the FAA type certification (TC) process — with flight testing by Joby pilots expected to start later in 2025, ahead of FAA pilots taking the controls in 2026.

During TIA testing, Joby will be working side-by-side with the FAA to ensure the aircraft meets all safety and performance requirements. The testing includes performance validation, control and handling, and maintenance and operations. Data collected during these TIA tests will be used by the FAA to make its final determination on issuing a TC for Joby’s aircraft.

Building services in Saudi Arabia

On Nov. 12, Joby and the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA, Riyadh) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will use FAA certification standards as a foundation to create a streamlined approval process for Joby’s aircraft in Saudi Arabia.

To support the development of the Kingdom’s air taxi regulatory framework, Joby and GACA will focus on three core initiatives based on Joby’s FAA certification efforts:

Provide technical expertise across type design, production and operational domains to inform the development of a comprehensive regulatory framework that ensures the safe, efficient and scalable deployment of advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft within the Kingdom.
Collaboration on airworthiness standards, ensuring an efficient validation process of the FAA TC.
Development and harmonization of key regulations to enable the initial phase of operations, including pilot licensing, maintenance and airspace integration frameworks.

Joby’s broader commercialization strategy in Saudi Arabia includes key partnerships with Abdul Latif Jameel, which is exploring delivery of up to 200 Joby aircraft valued at approximately $1 billion, and Aloula Aviation (formerly Mukamalah Aviation), the aviation subsidiary of Saudi Aramco. The announcement also builds on the renewed economic partnership between the U.S. administration and the Saudi government.

Dubai air taxi network takes flight

On Nov. 17, the next three vertiports to be added to Dubai’s electric air taxi network, alongside Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) and Skyports Infrastructure, were announced. The sites — at the American University of Dubai, Atlantis the Royal and the Dubai Mall — will enable Joby to deliver high-speed, emissions-free connections between some of Dubai’s most high-profile destinations, as part of its 6-year exclusive agreement with the RTA to establish air taxi services in the Emirate.

The news came as Joby successfully completed a landmark flight test in the UAE on Nov. 9. Joby landed its aircraft at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) following a 17-minute piloted flight from its test facility in Margham, underscoring Joby’s commercial market readiness and ability to operate in shared airspace.

Alongside the vertiport at Dubai International Airport, which is set to be completed in Q1 2026, these sites will make up the initial vertiport network for Joby’s air taxi service in Dubai, which is set to launch in 2026.

Joby Q3 2025 financial highlights

Final stage of certification. Joby has begun power-on testing of the first of several FAA-conforming aircraft to be built for TIA.

Maturing flight operations. The company has already conducted more than 600 flights in 2025, along with thousands of ground-based tests.

U.S. administrative support for the eVTOL. The eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) is designed to allow mature aircraft designs to demonstrate eVTOL use cases ahead of achieving TC. Joby is actively engaged with a wide range of state and local governments across the country who are submitting applications for eIPP projects.

Scaling production capacity. Joby added more than 100 manufacturing roles and has now begun production of propeller blades at its facility in Dayton, Ohio, marking the first phase of its scaled production strategy. The company has already produced 15 times more type design conforming parts than it did in all of 2024.

Commercial readiness. The recently-acquired Blade passenger service transported approximately 40,000 passengers during Q3. Joby also expanded its global partnership with Uber to incorporate Blade’s services directly into the Uber app.

Future technology platform. Just 3 months after announcing its partnership with L3Harris, Joby began ground testing the hybrid-electric autonomous aircraft it is developing for U.S. defense purposes. Joby also successfully demonstrated its autonomous flight technology, Superpilot, during a major defense exercise over the Pacific Ocean.

Strong balance sheet. Joby ended the quarter with $978.1 million in cash, cash equivalents and investments in marketable securities. Additionally, in October 2025, the company completed an underwritten equity offering. Net proceeds from the offering were approximately $576 million and are expected to be used to support certification and manufacturing efforts, prepare for commercial operations and provide general working capital and other corporate purposes.