Training & Certification
Joby Aviation Launches Pilot Training with Advanced Flight Simulator
Joby Aviation installs its first advanced flight simulator, marking progress in pilot training for commercial eVTOL service starting in 2026.
This article is based on an official press release from Joby Aviation.
Joby Aviation has officially commenced the installation of its pilot training infrastructure, marking a pivotal transition from research and development to operational readiness. According to a company press release issued this week, the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) developer has received and accepted the first of two advanced flight simulators at its facility in Marina, California.
The delivery is a significant milestone in Joby’s preparation for commercial passenger service, which is targeted to begin later in 2026. The simulators, developed in partnership with aviation training leader CAE, are designed to train the workforce required to operate Joby’s all-electric air taxis.
The newly delivered device is a fixed-base Level 7 Flight Training Device (FTD). It is currently being installed and will be utilized for procedural and systems Training. Joby Aviation has stated that a second unit, a Level C Full Flight Simulator (FFS), is scheduled to arrive later in 2026. The Level C simulator will offer high-fidelity motion replication across six axes, a critical requirement for the final stages of pilot Certification.
Both devices leverage advanced visual technology to create a “digital twin” of the operating environment. According to the announcement, the simulators utilize CAE’s “Prodigy Image Generator” and Epic Games’ Unreal Engine. This integration allows for the rendering of hyper-realistic 3D urban environments, including specific heliports and city skylines, displayed across a 300-by-130-degree field of view.
The simulators are the result of a multi-year collaboration between Joby and CAE (NYSE: CAE). The Partnerships aims to build training devices that accurately replicate the unique flight physics of the Joby S4 aircraft, which takes off vertically like a helicopter before transitioning to wing-borne flight.
“This delivery validates the regulatory pathway for the entire eVTOL industry. It proves that high-fidelity simulation can substitute for in-aircraft training, a crucial economic factor for scaling air taxi operations.”
, Industry Research Report summarizing the announcement
The arrival of this training hardware aligns with recent regulatory updates from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In October 2024, the FAA finalized the Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) for powered-lift pilot certification. A key provision of this regulation allows pilots to log significant training hours in qualified simulators rather than requiring a dual-control training aircraft. This regulatory framework is essential for Joby’s operational model, as the Joby S4 is designed as a single-pilot aircraft. By utilizing the Level C FFS, pilots can meet experience requirements without the need for a specialized trainer aircraft.
Once both simulators are fully operational, Joby Aviation projects the facility will support the training of up to 250 pilots per year. This capacity is intended to support the company’s planned commercial networks in markets such as New York, Los Angeles, and Dubai.
Joby Aviation is currently in Stage 4 (Type Inspection Authorization) of the FAA’s five-stage certification process. This phase involves FAA pilots flying the aircraft to verify safety standards. The company has already secured its Part 141 Pilot School Certificate, authorizing it to operate a flight academy, and is actively pursuing its Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate for commercial on-demand operations.
The Strategic Advantage of Digital Twins
The use of “digital twin” technology in pilot training represents a significant safety and strategic advantage for Joby. By replicating complex urban wind flows, battery management scenarios during transition flight, and emergency procedures, pilots can experience dangerous scenarios in the simulator that cannot be safely practiced in a real aircraft. Furthermore, securing Level 7 and Level C qualified devices provides Joby with a “first-mover” advantage in workforce development, potentially mitigating pilot shortages as the industry scales.
Joby Aviation Receives First Advanced Simulator, Initiating Pilot Training Phase
High-Fidelity Simulation Technology
Partnership with CAE
Regulatory Alignment and Workforce Scaling
Company Background and Certification Status
AirPro News Analysis
Sources
Photo Credit: Joby Aviation