Joby Aviation is starting final assembly of its first conforming aircraft intended for Type Inspection Authorisation (TIA) flight tests.

The TIA stage aligns three requirements set by the Federal Aviation Administration: approved test plans, an FAA-compliant design and manufacturing readiness. Joby says it has progressed in all three, with more than half its test plans accepted by the FAA, moving it closer to commercialising its electric air taxi.

“Every component, every system and every test we have completed over the past 15 years has led us to this point,” says Didier Papadopoulos, president of aircraft OEM at Joby. “We are now bringing it all together on the first of several aircraft that will be used for the final phase of FAA flight testing.”

Pilots at Joby expect to start flying the aircraft in 2025, followed by FAA pilots evaluating its performance and safety. Preparations have included static load tests exceeding expected flight loads, and system and instrumentation checks.

Papadopoulos adds: “We said we’d deliver a conforming aircraft in 2025 and that’s exactly what we’re doing, all in alignment with FAA support.”