Former Federal Aviation Administration Head Joins Electric Aircraft Startup

Joby Aviation, an electric aircraft startup, has recently added Michael Huerta, a former FAA administrator, to its board of directors.

Huerta, who served as FAA administrator from 2013 to 2018, will offer his expertise to Joby as the firm works to gain FAA certification for the commercial launch of its vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft in 2025.

Joby's 2025 Commercial Air Taxi Service Vision

Joby Aviation announced in February that it had begun the final assembly of its "company-conforming" electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, marking a critical milestone in its drive to launch a commercial air taxi service.

This news came just a week after Joby completed the second stage of its type certification process with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Joby intends to launch commercial passenger service with its VTOL aircraft in 2025, with the business aiming to make considerable progress in that process by 2023. Joby's executive chairman, Paul Sciarra, remarked that Huerta's appointment would be crucial in this regard.

Delta Air Lines, which invested $60 million in Joby for a 2% equity stake, also has Huerta on its board, according to a recent news release. As a result, Huerta's dual position on both boards will be critical in preparing for commercial operations.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian remarked on Huerta's appointment, adding that both firms are pioneering a groundbreaking new way to travel. Huerta's aviation experience is a significant advantage to both organizations as they work towards integrating their services to make booking travel more accessible.

What's Next for Joby?

According to Reuters, the FAA issued airworthiness criteria for Joby's Model JAS4-1 aircraft in November. The agency is also completing commercial operations and training standards for VTOL aircraft.

JoeBen Bevirt, CEO of Joby, believes that if the FAA releases proposed guidelines for public comment in June, they will be enacted by the end of 2024.

Joby aims to develop an all-electric aircraft capable of commercial passenger operations. The business has completed the first two of five stages of the FAA's type certification process and has already earned US Air Force airworthiness approval.

Huerta's nomination comes after Dan Elwell, former acting administrator of the FAA, joined Joby's advisory board in 2021. The FAA is critical in bringing electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) to market.

Huerta stated his enthusiasm for joining Joby's board, adding that the United States is on the verge of a new era of aviation, with electric aircraft like Joby's transforming how people travel.

Joby's board of directors also includes other big names like Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn; Aicha Evans, CEO of Zoox; Dr. James Kuffner, CEO of Woven Planet Holdings and a member of Toyota's board of directors and operating officer; Dipender Saluja, managing director of Capricorn Investment Group; Halimah DeLaine Prado, Google's general counsel; and Laura Wright, former CFO of Southwest Airlines Co. Paul Sciarra, co-founder of Pinterest, chairs the board.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.