NASA Begins Flight Test with Joby's Electric Taxi

NASA just took a major step in making flying taxis a reality. The 168 agency has begun flight tests on Joby Aviation's electric VTOL aircraft to help model and simulate future airspace with these taxis in service. The dry run quietly began on August 30 and will last until September 10. The effort will include noise monitoring using 50 microphones to measure the air taxi's "noise profile" throughout. scheduled flight

This is the first eVTOL test as part of the Advanced Air Mobility campaign, which aims to identify gaps in the Federal Aviation Administration's rules. and ensuring that the agency is ready for the commercial use of flying taxis. Along with delivery drones and other external aircraft. Data from the flight program will enable a more complete test campaign in 2022 involving other taxis. and more complicated flight situations

The overall program can prepare the US to be better prepared for low-altitude air traffic If and when flying taxis enter widespread use The early testing was also a minor coup for Joby. The landmark test came shortly after buying Uber's air taxi business and taking a $394 million investment from Toyota. There's no telling if Joby will continue to play the iconic role. But this was clearly the kind of collaboration that was hoped for.