Joby applies for UAM eVTOL aircraft certification in Japan

Next-generation aircraft developer Joby says it has applied for design certification of its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) plane in Japan, which is expected to be a particularly promising market for urban air mobility (UAM) activities.

In its communiqué Tuesday, Joby said it had filed a request with the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) to validate the type certification of its eVTOL craft issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) last May – a milestone in its work to develop the plane for full authorization and launch in UAM services by mid-decade. Joby described its application to the JCAB “the first of its type.”

If indeed unprecedented, timing of the initiative was likely not coincidental with yesterday’s announcement by the FAA and JCAB of their agreement to work together on harmonizing certification of next-generation aircraft. 

The move reflects similar efforts afoot between the FAA and regulators in the…