TLDR
- Joby Aviation (JOBY) stock jumped 5.7% after being selected for the White House eVTOL Integration Pilot Program
- The company is currently in stage 4 of 5 in the FAA Type Certification process with pilot testing expected in early 2026
- JOBY stock has surged over 80% year-to-date, outperforming transportation and aerospace peers
- The pilot program will test air taxi operations in select markets before full FAA certification
- Joby has logged over 40,000 flight miles and completed 600 test flights in 2025 alone
Joby Aviation shares rose 5.7% Friday morning after the electric air taxi company announced its selection for the White House eVTOL Integration Pilot Program. The stock reached new highs as investors welcomed the regulatory milestone.

The company disclosed its participation in a Thursday press release. The program was originally announced through executive order in June 2025.
The White House initiative aims to test flying cars in real-world scenarios. It will evaluate passenger transportation, cargo delivery, and emergency response operations.
The White House eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) launches today to select and test electric aircraft use cases like passenger rides, cargo delivery, and emergency response. And we’re ready! (1/5) pic.twitter.com/lik6Vhbli6
— Joby Aviation (@jobyaviation) September 12, 2025
Joby will work directly with the Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration. The program allows mature aircraft designs to begin operations before full certification.
This could give Joby a revenue boost sooner than expected. Traditional certification processes typically take longer to complete.
The air taxi company has built a strong position in the eVTOL race. Joby has completed over 40,000 flight miles across its entire fleet.
The company logged 600 test flights in 2025 alone. This extensive testing demonstrates the maturity of its aircraft design.
Regulatory Progress Accelerates
Joby sits in stage four of the five-phase FAA Type Certification process. This puts the company closer to commercial operations than most competitors.
The company expects to complete its first conforming aircraft this year. FAA pilot testing will begin in early 2026.
Federal agencies will use the pilot program to gather operational data. This information will shape future regulations for the air taxi industry.
The program will align federal, state, and local authorities on operating standards. Coordination across jurisdictions remains essential for smooth deployment.
Participation puts Joby at the center of regulatory development. The company will help establish industry-wide operating standards.
Strategic Partnerships Drive Growth
Joby has secured multiple commercial agreements that strengthen its market position. The company signed a $125 million deal with Blade for air taxi services.
Integration with the Uber app provides another distribution channel. This partnership could deliver access to millions of potential customers.
These agreements demonstrate real commercial demand for air taxi services. They validate the business model beyond just regulatory approval.
The deals have contributed to positive investor sentiment around the stock. Market confidence continues to build as milestones approach.
JOBY shares have climbed more than 80% year-to-date. This performance crushes broader transportation and aerospace sector returns.
The company’s market capitalization now stands at $11.71 billion. Average daily trading volume has reached 33.4 million shares.
Technical indicators currently flash buy signals for the stock. The year-to-date price performance of 69.10% reflects strong investor backing.
However, analysts don’t expect Joby to report its first profit until 2031. The stock remains speculative until profitability arrives.
Joby expects to begin test flights with FAA pilots aboard next year as part of the certification process.
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