Hanneke Weitering is a writer and editor with AIN covering advanced air mobility and new flight technologies. She became an aviation journalist and joined the AIN team in the summer of 2022 after reporting on spaceflight and astronomy for six years at Space.com. After earning a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she moved to New York City to pursue a master’s degree in science, health, and environmental reporting at New York University&#039;s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. She is now based in Seattle near Boeing Field and spends her free time exploring nature in the Pacific Northwest.

Science & Technology Editor

Hanneke Weitering

Joby Aviation has begun flying the first “FAA-conforming” eVTOL prototype that it intends to use for type inspection authorization (TIA) testing later this year, the company announced on Wednesday.&nbsp;
According to the U.S. manufacturer, TIA represents the final step in the type certification process that will pave the way for commercial operations with the four-passenger eVTOL aircraft.&nbsp;
Registered as N547JX, the FAA-conforming prototype that took flight this week is the first of five that Joby will dedicate to “for-credit” certification flight tests. The other four are already in production at the company’s recently expanded&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2025-07-22/joby-ramps-evtol-aircraft-production-california">pilot manufacturing line</a> in Marina, California.&nbsp;
Following initial tests with Joby pilots on board, FAA pilots will visit Joby in Marina to conduct TIA testing—a rigorous process that will likely involve hundreds of flights over the course of a year or longer.&nbsp;
In the meantime, Joby will be conducting demonstration flights with its earlier “company-conforming” prototypes as part of the federal government’s <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2026-03-09/dot-selects-eight-projects-throughout-us-aam-integration">eVTOL Integration Pilot Program</a> and preparing to fly its first passengers <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2025-11-15/evtol-rivals-race-prove-air-taxi-use-case-uae">in Dubai</a> this year.&nbsp;
The start of the TIA process marks the company’s transition from developmental testing to FAA-verified, “for-credit” certification testing. “Seeing this aircraft fly means everything to our team,” said Didier Papadopoulos, president of aircraft OEM at Joby. “It’s the validation of years of hard work and marks our entry into the final phase of bringing this aircraft to market.”
“After focusing on ‘for credit’ testing at both the equipment and system levels, we’re now moving into the final phase of aircraft-level evaluations,” Papadopoulos said. “This is evidence that our rigorous design and certification process is paying off, and we look forward to welcoming FAA pilots to Marina in due course.”

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Joby Aviation Flies First FAA-Conforming eVTOL Aircraft Prototype

Prototype will support FAA “for-credit” flight testing for type certification

Joby Aviation has begun flying the first “FAA-conforming” eVTOL prototype that it intends to use for type inspection authorization testing later this year.

Joby Flies First FAA-Conforming eVTOL Aircraft

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Hyde County initiative evaluates rapid-response concept

Pivotal Trials Ultralight eVTOL for Emergency Medical Flights

Chad Trautvetter

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Business jet fleet growing in Asia

MJets Tapped for Gulfstream Bizjet Sales in Thailand

Aeromedical operator will start taking delivery of the turboprop singles in 2027

Life Flight Goes Pro with Order for a Dozen PC-12s

Amy Wilder

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Regulators differ on autonomy definitions and certification approaches

Panel Explores Drone, Autonomous Aircraft Rules

Charlotte Bailey

First delivery to a Brazilian customer is expected in July 

Brazil Approves Daher's TBM 980 

Charles Alcock

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

First of four 10X prototypes rolled out in Bordeaux on Tuesday

Dassault Chases Bizjet Market Pinnacle with Falcon 10X 

Company continues to work with agency to get the super-medium, fly-by-wire helicopter approved

Bell Relentlessly Pursuing FAA Certification for 525

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

In this article

Joby Aviation

More In Aircraft