Air-taxis could be flying into cities soon as a new craft is on its way to being certified.
Key Details
- An air-taxi created by Joby Aviation Inc. is on its way to being certified as U.S. aviation regulators are setting standards in place for the electric aircraft.
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced criteria for the aircraft that needs to be completed in order for it to be approved.
- Joby still has many obstacles to overcome—but the aircraft is on its way to being the first certified electric air taxi.
Why it’s news
Flying cars and taxis have been a topic discussed for ages, but now it could be reality. Many companies have been racing to create an electric air-taxi and Joby is the first one to get near certification.
Joby’s JAS4-1 is a four-person electric aircraft that is designed to lift off like a helicopter, but then fly like a plane. It is designed to be a ride sharing taxi service that flies over cities in order to bypass traffic and other hurdles.
The purpose of the plane is to combine the ease of conventional ridesharing with the power of flight. It is a green alternative to driving that’s bookable at the touch of an app, according to the Joby Aviation website.
This week the FAA announced its “airworthiness criteria” for the JAS4-1 which details everything the company needs to do in order to complete its certification. The criteria announcement is a big deal and could pave the way for other air-taxis to get certified.
It is unsure when Joby will be officially certified or when it will be able to begin taking on passengers, but for now it is a big victory for the company and the world of air travel.
Investors
Joby Aviation Inc. has some big name investors pouring money and resources into its operations.
Some of the names include Delta Air Lines Inc., and Toyota as well as partnerships with NASA and Uber.