Joby Aviation has secured its final airworthiness criteria for the five-seat JAS4-1 air taxi from the FAA marking the first time the FAA has established airworthiness criteria for any passenger-carrying eVTOL aircraft.
Joby Aviation in a significant milestone for the U.S. electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) industry, has secured its final airworthiness criteria for the five-seat JAS4-1 air taxi from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This marks the first time the FAA has established airworthiness criteria for any passenger-carrying eVTOL aircraft, providing a regulatory framework that other eVTOL developers can leverage as they pursue type certification for similar vehicles.
California-based Joby Aviation submitted its certification plans for the JAS4-1 model to the FAA in July 2023, and on February 21, 2024, the FAA approved those certification plans, completing the third of five stages in the certification process. Joby anticipates having the aircraft certified and operational by the end of 2025.
The FAA plans to certify eVTOL aircraft like Joby’s as “powered-lift” vehicles under a “special class” process defined in 14 CFR 21.17(b). This deviates significantly from the original strategy of using Part 23 rules for small airplanes with special conditions. The absence of established powered-lift airworthiness standards requires the FAA to approve special airworthiness criteria for each eVTOL model on a case-by-case basis.
Joby became the first eVTOL developer to reach a G-1 certification basis with the FAA in 2020. However, in May 2022, the FAA transitioned to 21.17(b) rules, prompting Joby to update its certification basis and apply for an extension, which the FAA granted.
The FAA published proposed airworthiness criteria for Joby’s aircraft in the federal register in November 2022, allowing for public comments. The final airworthiness criteria include some amendments based on public feedback, and the FAA is striving to harmonize its certification approach with more stringent rules being developed by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
The final criteria include an optional “increased performance” approval for aircraft meeting higher performance standards for continued flight under certain failure conditions. This is similar to EASA’s “category enhanced” approval, reflecting a higher safety target.
Joby can seek approval for the aircraft as having essential performance, increased performance, or both, depending on the operations. The final document clarifies requirements for addressing various aircraft failure scenarios, and it emphasizes the capability of a controlled emergency landing following conditions where the aircraft can no longer provide commanded power or thrust.
Notably, the FAA has removed its proposed requirement for a bird deterrent system on the aircraft due to insufficient data showing that such devices effectively prevent bird strikes. However, the FAA encourages voluntary implementation of bird deterrence mitigations, considering them good design practice.
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This regulatory progress represents a significant step forward for Joby Aviation and the broader eVTOL industry in the United States. The finalized airworthiness criteria provide a foundation for future certification efforts, offering a clear framework for developers navigating the regulatory landscape. Joby’s pursuit of type certification and operational readiness aligns with the industry’s ongoing efforts to bring electric air taxis to market and revolutionize urban air mobility.
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