Joby Aviation, a leader in developing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, has joined forces with Atlantic Aviation to electrify existing aviation infrastructure in New York and Southern California. This collaboration aims to prepare for the launch of Joby’s air taxi service by activating key Atlantic sites and installing Joby’s Global Electric Aviation Charging System (GEACS).
Atlantic Aviation, a prominent provider of aviation services and infrastructure, operates across major U.S. cities, including multiple sites in New York City and Los Angeles. The collaboration will focus on these metropolitan areas initially. The initiative involves analyzing how Joby’s air taxis can seamlessly operate alongside traditional aircraft and other electric aircraft, providing customers with a sustainable and quieter alternative for urban transportation.
Joby’s GEACS is a charging system designed to support the safe and efficient operation of electric aircraft. It minimizes downtime between flights and maximizes the lifespan of aircraft batteries. The technical specifications of GEACS, currently installed at Edwards Air Force Base and Joby’s flight testing facility in Marina, California, have been released, ensuring interoperability with various electric aircraft under development.
Joby’s air taxi can accommodate a pilot and four passengers, reaching speeds of up to 200 mph. It offers a high-speed mobility solution with significantly reduced noise compared to helicopters and zero in-flight emissions. Joby recently achieved a milestone by completing the first-ever flight of an electric air taxi in New York City, emphasizing the commitment to electrifying iconic aviation landmarks such as the Downtown Manhattan Heliport.
The partnership between Joby Aviation and Atlantic Aviation signifies a strategic move towards transforming traditional aviation infrastructure to support the integration of advanced eVTOL aircraft for urban air mobility services.