Joby Aviation , Inc. (NYSE:JOBY), the company at the forefront of developing electric air taxis, has achieved two significant milestones in its pursuit of commercial passenger service.
Today, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awarded Joby a Part 141 certificate for its flight academy, a crucial step in creating a pipeline of qualified pilots for its future operations. In addition, the FAA has accepted Joby’s voluntary Safety Management System (SMS) for air operations, which is established under Part 5.
The Part 141 certificate allows the Joby Aviation Academy to offer comprehensive pilot training programs. These programs will include a variety of courses such as private pilot, instrument rating, commercial pilot, and certified flight instructor training. This development is key for Joby as it prepares to launch its commercial service, enabling aspiring pilots to train for a career with Joby or other air operators.
Bonny Simi, President of Operations at Joby, expressed enthusiasm about the progress, stating, “We’re pleased to be ticking two more items off our operations checklist as we continue to lead the industry towards commercialization of electric air taxis.”
Simi, with her background as a former airline pilot, highlighted the company’s commitment to offering competitive prices and robust training curricula to ensure the success of its graduates in the aviation industry.
Joby’s dedication to safety is underscored by the FAA’s acceptance of its Part 5 air operations SMS for its Part 135 operation, named Joby Elevate. Although Part 135 operators have several years to meet the FAA SMS mandate, Joby has achieved this milestone well in advance.
The SMS requirement is part of a broader initiative to ensure the highest safety standards by promoting a culture of safety and openness within the organization.
Simi emphasized the importance of a strong safety foundation, adding, “We are also building a strong safety foundation for our planned operations with the FAA acceptance of our Safety Management System governing air operations under our Part 135 operation, Joby Elevate.”
The Part 141 certificate and Part 5 air operations SMS are essential components for Joby to commence its planned air taxi service, which the company aims to introduce in June 2024. The introduction was detailed in a presentation titled “Pre-Flight Checklist: An Introduction to Joby Air Taxi Operations.”
The company’s SMS initiative is part of a larger Enterprise SMS that is currently in development, encompassing aircraft, manufacturing, operations, maintenance, and flight training. This comprehensive approach is designed to enhance the exchange of information and continuously improve the safety of Joby’s aircraft and operations.
Joby’s electric air taxi, which can transport a pilot and four passengers at speeds of up to 200 mph, promises to offer high-speed mobility with significantly less noise than helicopters and without any operating emissions.
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