JOBY Moves Closer Toward FAA Certification: Scope for More Upside?

Core Insights - Joby Aviation successfully completed its final international flight demonstration for 2025 at Japan's Fuji Speedway, marking a year of extensive global flight testing and operational maturity [1] - The company conducted 14 piloted flights in partnership with Toyota Motor, completing over 850 flights and surpassing 50,000 total flight miles in 2025 [2][11] - Toyota has invested nearly $1 billion in Joby, including a recent $250 million investment aimed at expediting Joby's certification process and commercial production [2][11] Flight Testing and Operational Milestones - Joby achieved a 2.6-fold increase in operational pace compared to the previous year, validating aircraft design and manufacturing processes necessary for FAA Type Certification [3] - The year included significant flight operations in the U.S., UAE, and Japan, with notable events such as 41 flights at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka and 21 flights during an environmental testing campaign in the UAE [4] - Joby became the only eVTOL manufacturer to fly at the Dubai Airshow, further establishing its presence in the industry [4] Commercial Service Preparations - Joby completed multiple point-to-point flights between public airports, including flights in California and the UAE, demonstrating readiness for commercial service [5] - The company successfully flew its turbine-electric demonstrator aircraft within three months of announcing the concept, showcasing rapid development capabilities [6] Flight Data and Certification Progress - In 2025, Joby's electric air taxi flights exceeded 9,000 miles and completed over 4,900 test points, contributing to the final phases of the FAA certification process [7] - The flight data collected is essential for initiating Type Inspection Authorization flight testing in 2026 [7] Competitive Landscape - Joby's main competitor, Archer Aviation, is developing an air taxi network in the Miami metropolitan area and has partnered with Karem Aircraft to enhance its technology [8][9]