Joby Aviation has appointed Paul Rinaldi to its advisory board. Rinaldi was president of NATCA from 2009-2021, the longest-serving elected leader in the organisation's history. During his tenure, he worked extensively with the FAA to improve airspace safety. Prior to assuming leadership positions at NATCA, Rinaldi worked for 15 years as an air traffic controller at Washington-Dulles International airport tower.

Rinaldi's work to improve airspace safety and deep relationships with airspace management stakeholders, including as vice president of the Global Air Traffic Controllers Alliance, will prove invaluable to Joby's success as a commercial operator. He joins Joby as it focuses on receiving FAA certification for its aircraft, launching scaled manufacturing and laying the groundwork for planned initial passenger operations in 2024. As a member of the advisory board, Rinaldi will support and advise Joby on the steps necessary to safely integrate flights into the US national airspace system.

“Paul knows what it takes to ensure the continued safety and efficiency of the airspace and air traffic management system,” says Joby founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt. “His expertise will be so valuable as we work toward making fast and clean everyday flight a reality with our aircraft.”

Rinaldi adds: “I have had the privilege of working closely with air traffic controllers' unions, the FAA and many other stakeholders to maintain the safety of our airspace, and I look forward to continuing that mission with Joby, to shape and integrate an entirely new form of air transportation. JoeBen and his team have designed a revolutionary aircraft, and I believe they will completely change the way we think about flight in the decades to come.”

During his tenure as president of NATCA, Rinaldi held positions on the FAA's Management Advisory Council (MAC) and NextGen Advisory Committee (NAC).

In March, Joby welcomed Dan Elwell, former acting administrator of the FAA, as the first member of its advisory board.