Leaders.com
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Business
  • Leadership
  • Wealth
  • Master Classes
  • Business
    • Entrepreneurs
    • Executives
    • Marketing and Sales
    • Social Media
    • Innovation
    • Women in Business
  • Leadership
    • Personal Growth
    • Company Culture
    • Public Speaking
    • Productivity
    • Hiring
    • Social Issues
    • Leaders
  • Wealth
    • Investing
    • Cryptocurrency
    • Retirement
    • Venture Capital
    • Loans and Borrowing
    • Taxes
    • Markets
    • Real Estate
  • Master Classes
  • Login
  • Subscribe
Innovation flying taxis

The United States Air Force will be Joby Aviation's first customer to receive its flying electric taxis. (Source: Joby Aviation)

By Hannah Bryan Leaders Staff

Hannah Bryan

Hannah Bryan

News Writer

Hannah Bryan is a news writer for Leaders Media. Most recently she was a reporter for the Sanilac County News...

Full bio


Learn about our editorial policy

Apr 25, 2023

See Who Is Getting the First Flying Taxis

Flying taxis that have been in the works for civilian use will first be approved for military purposes, ferrying cargo and people at Edwards Air Force Base in California. 

Key Details

  • The U.S. military is often the first to test new technology before it is available to the private sector, and electric air taxis will be no different. 
  • Joby Aviation, an air-taxi manufacturer, has announced a $55 million extension of its ongoing U.S. Air Force (USAF) contract, bringing its total value to around $131 million, Axios reports. 
  • As part of the new contract, Joby will provide the USAF with up to nine electrical vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOLs). Joby will also be responsible for operating the aircraft.
  • The first two eVTOLs will be delivered to the base by March 2024.

Why it’s news

Electric, short-range aircraft have been in the works for some time. United and other airlines have invested in other eVTOL development companies. In civilian use, these flying taxis are pitched as short-range flight opportunities for crowded cities. Rather than sitting in vehicle traffic, customers can hop on a quick flight to the other side of town. 

Flying taxis have yet to be put into civilian use, but developers are getting closer to making flying cars a reality. Joby’s deal will give the Air Force and other government agencies like NASA first-hand experience with eVTOLs. Joby employees will be the primary operators of the aircraft, but some USAF pilots will receive training, Axios reports. 

When Joby delivers its first eVTOL to the military base, it will mark the first actual delivery of the electric plane to a customer. The trained Air Force pilots will also be the first non-Joby pilots to command the aircraft. Joby executive chairman Paul Sciarra also notes that the first real-world use of the technology will help the company better tune the planes for more common usage.

Joby is not the only eVTOL company the USAF is working alongside. Through its Agility Prime program, the Air Force has partnered with multiple developers to bring eVTOLs to the U.S. military.

Civilian-use aircraft may not be far behind. Joby is still working with the Federal Aviation Administration to receive official certification for civilian eVTOL use, Axios reports.

Home / News / See Who Is Getting the First Flying Taxis
Share
FacebookTweetEmailLinkedIn

Related Stories

Gen Z Is Changing Workplace Habits

by Hannah Bryan Leaders Staff
Company Culture

About an hour ago

working late

Remote work has opened the door for many changing workplace traditions, including changing the nine-to-five workday. 

Key Details

  • Hard workers and early risers are often associated with one another, but a recent study shows that most Gen Z employees prefer to begin their work at 6 p.m.
  • In an Adobe study that sampled workers in the UK, U.S., and Japan, younger workers were found to be more productive in the evenings, Fortune reports. 
  • These younger employees prefer to work through the night and spend their downtime during the daylight hours. 
  • Only 6% of Boomers reported being productive from 6 p.m. to 3 p.m. compared to 26% of Gen Zers. 

Go deeper

FacebookTweetEmailLinkedIn

Phoenix Suns Shift From Traditional Broadcasting 

by Tyler Hummel Leaders Staff
Entertainment

2 hours ago

The owner of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury is striking out on his own—shifting away from traditional broadcasting deals. 

Key Details

  • The bankruptcy of Diamond Sports Group in March has resulted in numerous sports teams attempting to void their streaming contracts. 
  • Two Phoenix, Arizona-based teams are making a similar attempt, shaking their traditional local streaming contract with Bally Sports Arizona to seek new opportunities. 
  • Both teams announced on Friday that games will be broadcast on over-the-air local television in Phoenix, Tucson, and Yuma and that free broadcasts will be made available through streaming. 
  • Diamond has argued that the announcement is a breach of contract for the sports teams, while ESPN is warning that the decision could cost tens of millions of dollars in the short term for the teams. 
  • The team owner believes the change will “more than triple the reach” of their audience. 

Go deeper

FacebookTweetEmailLinkedIn

Dimon Says: (Part Of) the Banking Crisis Is Over 

by Tyler Hummel Leaders Staff
Markets

2 hours ago

JPMorgan has agreed to purchase First Republic Bank—winning an auction over the weekend to purchase its deposits and assets after the bank’s near collapse. 

Key Details

  • Following the climatic collapses of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank in March, First Republic Bank became the third major collapse of the past two months when regulators ceased it on Monday. 
  • The seizure comes a week after First Republic’s quarterly report noted last Monday that the bank had lost $100 billion in deposits. 
  • The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation stepped in on Monday after exhausting private solutions to the bank collapse. 
  • JPMorgan agreed to take possession of the bank’s assets and deposits, with CEO Jamie Dimon saying, “this part of the crisis is over.”
  • The bank expects that the purchase will add $500 million to its annual net income, at the cost of $2 billion to integrate First Republic into JPMorgan within 18 months, AP reports. 
  • The collapse of First Republic has eclipsed Silicon Valley Bank as the second-largest U.S. bank collapse of all time at $229.1 billion.

Go deeper

FacebookTweetEmailLinkedIn
Social Media

2 hours ago

Battle Of the Twitter CEOs 

by Tyler Hummel Leaders Staff
right to repair
Business

3 hours ago

Farmers Still Struggle To Fix John Deeres

by Hannah Bryan Leaders Staff
amazon ads
Business

6 hours ago

Amazon’s A-To-Z Adage Does Include Ads

by Hannah Bryan Leaders Staff

Recent Articles

Personal Growth

8 hours ago

How Adaptability Can Make or Break Your Career in the Coming Years

The business world is always changing, making adaptability a necessary skill.

Wealth

Apr 27, 2023

How to Make an Extra $1000 a Month Starting With Only $100 

You can make an extra $1000 per month with a small upfront investment or a part-time job.

Leadership

Apr 26, 2023

Narcissists in the Workplace: Signs Your Coworker or Boss Might Be One of Them

Narcissistic bosses do whatever it takes to gain success and power.

  • Business
  • Leadership
  • Wealth
Join the Leaders Community

Get exclusive tools and resources you need to grow as a leader and scale a purpose-driven business.

Subscribing indicates your consent to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Leaders.com
  • Privacy Policy
  • About
  • Careers
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
  • Disclosures
  • Editorial Policy
  • Member Login

© 2023 Leaders.com - All rights reserved.

Search Leaders.com

x