Remote-piloted Joby air taxi lands in Utah as autonomous flight test
A Joby Aviation electric air-taxi touched down at Salt Lake City Airport while being controlled from a facility in Concord, California, with a safety passenger on board.
On Wednesday, a Joby Aviation J208 electric air-taxi landed at Salt Lake City Airport while its flight was directed from a control center in Concord, California, 700 miles away. A safety pilot rode in the cabin to satisfy Federal Aviation Administration rules but did not operate any controls. The demonstration, observed by Utah Department of Transportation staff, is intended to collect data that will shape safety regulations and infrastructure for advanced air mobility in the state.
Joby’s president of operations, Bonny Simi, said the company expects to obtain FAA approval for fully autonomous flights by next year, with the first commercial launches slated for New York before expanding to Utah. The company envisions the service as affordable as a rideshare, cheaper than helicopters, and useful for rural healthcare and wildfire response. State officials highlighted the technology’s potential to benefit all residents, not just affluent users.
Why it matters
The test shows how remotely piloted electric air-taxis could soon become a regular, affordable transport option and influence future aviation regulations.
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