Photo: Joby Aviation
The biggest names in the emerging AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) industry are finally getting closer to large-scale production, following the lengthy and complex certification process for their eVTOLs (electric vertical take-off and landing). The Californian Joby Aviation is expanding to Ohio, a place of strategic importance with a unique aviation heritage.
Joby isn't playing small. In line with its impressive success in terms of international orders, the manufacturer is planning to deliver no less than 500 electric aircraft per year. Its Pilot Production Line in Marina, California, is hardly enough for this big goal. Joby is expanding to Dayton, Ohio, which will become the location of its scaled aircraft production facility.
This new plant will benefit from 140 acres (56.5 hectares) of land and offer nearly 2 million square feet (185,800 square meters) of manufacturing space. It will be located near the Dayton International Airport. The Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and USAF's Research Laboratories are also in the same city, which will enhance Joby's long-term cooperation with the military.
Joby is ready to kick off the construction process next year. By 2025, the new Ohio center should be up and running. As for the company's headquarters and R&D center, they'll stay in California, as well as the pilot production facility.
The electric aviation startup isn't alone in this. Apart from the support it gets from the government (the US Department of Energy recently invited it to apply for financing under a program for clean energy projects), Joby is also backed by an automotive giant.
Toyota is officially a long-term investor and one of Joby's main partners in launching the California pilot production line. According to Joby, Toyota will also provide strategic support for the future manufacturing facility in Ohio.
Archer Aviation, one of Joby's competitors, has even stronger ties to another big name in the automotive industry. With Stellantis as its exclusive contract manufacturer for the Midnight aircraft, Archer is setting up a manufacturing facility in Covington, Georgia. In terms of capacity, it seems to surpass Joby's Ohio facility, with a targeted output of 650 units per year. In the future, Archer plans to increase this to more than 2,000 units annually.
What Convington lacks is Dayton's unique heritage, linked to the pioneering work of the Wright Brothers. Joby hopes to take this further and make history with fully electric flights. The Joby eVTOL is designed for four passengers plus the pilot, promising a 100-mile (161 km) range and quiet urban operations.
The Californian air mobility company is ready to pump $500 million into this new facility as operations continue to grow. For starters, it has 2,000 positions to fill at the new location, and anyone interested is welcome to apply online.
This new plant will benefit from 140 acres (56.5 hectares) of land and offer nearly 2 million square feet (185,800 square meters) of manufacturing space. It will be located near the Dayton International Airport. The Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and USAF's Research Laboratories are also in the same city, which will enhance Joby's long-term cooperation with the military.
Joby is ready to kick off the construction process next year. By 2025, the new Ohio center should be up and running. As for the company's headquarters and R&D center, they'll stay in California, as well as the pilot production facility.
The electric aviation startup isn't alone in this. Apart from the support it gets from the government (the US Department of Energy recently invited it to apply for financing under a program for clean energy projects), Joby is also backed by an automotive giant.
Toyota is officially a long-term investor and one of Joby's main partners in launching the California pilot production line. According to Joby, Toyota will also provide strategic support for the future manufacturing facility in Ohio.
Archer Aviation, one of Joby's competitors, has even stronger ties to another big name in the automotive industry. With Stellantis as its exclusive contract manufacturer for the Midnight aircraft, Archer is setting up a manufacturing facility in Covington, Georgia. In terms of capacity, it seems to surpass Joby's Ohio facility, with a targeted output of 650 units per year. In the future, Archer plans to increase this to more than 2,000 units annually.
What Convington lacks is Dayton's unique heritage, linked to the pioneering work of the Wright Brothers. Joby hopes to take this further and make history with fully electric flights. The Joby eVTOL is designed for four passengers plus the pilot, promising a 100-mile (161 km) range and quiet urban operations.
The Californian air mobility company is ready to pump $500 million into this new facility as operations continue to grow. For starters, it has 2,000 positions to fill at the new location, and anyone interested is welcome to apply online.
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