"JoeBen"? Sound like he should be in a different line of work...
Posted on 09/30/2023 2:01:52 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Santa Cruz aviation company launches air taxi ahead of schedule, teams up with NASA and the U.S. Air Force
Santa Cruz aviation company Joby on Monday became what is likely the first in the nation to deliver an air taxi designed for vertical takeoff and landing.
Joby Aviation delivered the aircraft to the U.S. Air Force at Edward Air Force Base as part of a $131 million contract with the U.S. Department of Defense.
The delivery came six months ahead of its promised date, Joby said in a press release.
santa cruz restaurant week 2023 A second electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is planned to be delivered to Edwards in early 2024.
With a range of up to 100 miles and a top speed of 200 mph, the Joby aircraft is capable of transporting a pilot and four passengers quickly and quietly with zero operating emissions, the company said.
The aircraft will be used for missions such as cargo and passenger transportation.
In addition, NASA will also use the aircraft for research on how eVTOL aircraft might someday be used for transportation nationwide.
Joby’s agreement with the Air Force—called the AFWERX Agility Prime contract—includes providing up to nine aircraft to the U.S. Air Force and other federal agencies.
AFWERX is the Air Force’s technology and innovation arm.
The aircraft was built on Joby’s Pilot Production Line in Marina. It will be stationed at Edwards Air Force Base for at least one year.
The U.S. Air Force and Joby will train its pilots and ground crew, and conduct joint flight testing and operations to get a feel of the aircraft’s capabilities in realistic mission settings. The year-long test run will give the U.S. military a sense of how it might incorporate eVTOL aircraft into its arsenal, and give Joby experience as the company prepares to launch commercial passenger service in 2025.
“We’re proud to join the ranks of revolutionary aircraft that first demonstrated their capabilities at Edwards Air Force Base,” said JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby.
Joby first partnered with the Department of Defense in 2016, when it granted both early funding and access to test ranges.
“The arrival of Joby’s aircraft at Edwards AFB is an important step towards achieving this objective,” said Col Elliott Leigh, AFWERX director and Chief Commercialization Officer for the Department of the Air Force.
I can imagine hundreds if not thousands of those flying around. Yeah.
I think they are for military use. I can see how a quiet V-Stol could be useful.
It probably takes a week to charge it up. According to the NYT, it was built for the Air Force to evade FAA regulations. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/25/business/air-force-joby-electric-air-taxi.html
Hmm, a dot-sc domain for Santa Cruz?
That’s the domain name for the Seychelles, islands off the coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean..
“It probably takes a week to charge it up.”
Yep! and:
“With a range of up to 100 miles and a top speed of 200 mph, the Joby aircraft is capable of transporting a pilot and four passengers quickly and quietly with zero operating emissions, the company said.”
This is only “up to” a 30 minute flying time to get a 100 miles right?
They took over the old Plantronics building complex on Encinal Street near the Costco////
Looks like a manned-drone. Wow.
Likely has cameras made-in-china to save costs and ensure that video from restaurant deliveries is carefully reviewed by the manufacturing teams to help improve service and safety.
/sarc
No, it’s for commercial use, not military use.
If it ain’t electric I ain’t goin...........
Aviation Ping!............
Still thinking a lot of those in the airspace.
Still in all, how are they controlled? What altitude will they be flying?
There was an old sci fi story about warfare advancing to “manned” missiles whose uncertainty of trajectory from the onboard human pilot could evade all enemy radar and anti missile systems.
Obviously there is no waste in the US Federal budget. Every single penny is well spent /s
“Plantronics” — now there’s a name I haven’t heard in decades. I used their headsets around 20 years ago. They made good products.
“… a quiet V-Stol could be useful.”
I hope it’s quieter than the drones that fly around our neighborhood park.
"JoeBen"? Sound like he should be in a different line of work...
If it is electric, count me out.....
Imagine the batteries afire, spitting fire and popping off like a gun?
Imagine your butt sitting on this, real life, firecracker?
No thanks...
Pictured, is a real life moonshiner. Coiled copper= giveaway....
Bless him for providing the water of life.....Amen
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