WASHINGTON—Joby Aviation Inc said on Thursday it had received a certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that would allow it to begin its air-taxi operations commercially with a conventional airplane.
Although the certification gives the necessary clearance and is a significant milestone, the company still has additional regulatory hurdles to clear before its five-seater aircraft can legally fly passengers.
The FAA’s Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate is among the three regulatory approvals critical for Joby’s planned launch of all-electric aerial ridesharing service in 2024.
The certification would let Joby operate its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft as an air taxi service in cities and communities across the United States….