Joby Demos Its Air Taxi In NYC (electrive.com)
- Reference: 0183057072
- News link: https://tech.slashdot.org/story/26/04/29/1917219/joby-demos-its-air-taxi-in-nyc
- Source link: https://www.electrive.com/2026/04/29/joby-demonstrates-its-air-taxi-in-new-york-city/
> To launch operations in New York City, Joby acquired Blade Urban Air Mobility last year. Blade already enables helicopter flights for affluent travelers between Manhattan and airports such as JFK or Newark in just five minutes, avoiding up to two hours of traffic and typical airport hassles. Joby aims to replace this service with quiet, electric air taxis as soon as possible, transitioning Blade's existing customers to the new technology.
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> However, introducing a new aircraft into commercial service requires a years-long certification process, overseen in the US by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Joby is now in the final phase of FAA certification. Following a series of demonstration flights in the San Francisco Bay Area, the company has tested its air taxi in New York City on real flight routes and under real-world conditions. During these tests, Joby demonstrated the acoustics and performance metrics critical for entering the urban air taxi market.
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> During these demonstration flights, Joby's air taxi took off from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and landed at various helipads across the city, including Downtown Skyport and the helipads at West 30th Street and East 34th Street in Midtown, where Blade Air Mobility's premium passenger lounges are located. These locations represent some of the commercial routes Joby plans for New York [...].
Fun fact: Joby's eVTOL aircraft are [2]over 100 to 1,000 times quieter than a conventional helicopter, operating at roughly 55-65 dB during takeoff and landing compared to 90+ dB for helicopters.
[1] https://www.electrive.com/2026/04/29/joby-demonstrates-its-air-taxi-in-new-york-city/
[2] https://youtu.be/GHmXR0wBOiI?si=sSkMMIa_MncmRWw5
Great (Score:2)
It's good billionaires are going to have something to spit on us from. I'd hate for them to have to use lung power to do it because they're in a mere limousine.
This is Going to be a While... (Score:2)
This is going to be a very long while before it ever scales. First, don't ever underestimate the time it takes to certify a new aircraft. It takes years for traditional platforms which have established certification paths (conventional fixed wing aircraft and rotorcraft) - with the Bell 525, one of the latest helicopters seeking certification still not certified after first flight eleven years ago. Then the FAA is struggling even more with how to certify "powered lift" aircraft where eVTOL platforms are. Se
Safety schmaefty! theres $$$ to be made! (Score:2)
A couple of million dollars to the TRUMP Ballroom Fund should clear any irksome regulatory hurdles posed by the ineffectual FAA.
/s ... ?
Regarding pilots ... (Score:1)
Automated vehicles over a farm field is one thing, over a densely populated urban center is another. A human pilot will almost assuredly be required in the foreseeable future.
Given the years ahead for R&D and certification, and then scaling, I expect getting pilots would not be a problem. As with helicopters, pilots can start out with fixed wing and transition to eVTOL much as they do with respect to helicopters. It's a common cost savings path. It's kind of hard to imagine a shortage of people wanti
good news (Score:1)
Few among us remember those glorious days, before an otherwise-obscure middle-eastern artist carried out [1]the greatest work of art imaginable for the whole cosmos [prx.org], when our Masters would fly overhead in helicopters regularly.
Let us praise our Masters and give back to them the NYC skies so that the pitiful plebs beneath may be inspired by their artful dominion!!
[1] https://exchange.prx.org/pieces/67568?m=false
OMFG Bullshit (Score:2)
A DJI drone operates at more than 55-65 dB. [1]https://hiredronepilot.uk/blog... [hiredronepilot.uk]
Quit printing these bald faced lies told by startup company marketers.
[1] https://hiredronepilot.uk/blog/how-loud-dji-neo/