Joby Aviation's 3,100-mile autonomous flight signals its push beyond electric air taxis
News Source
•Fri, 18 Sep 2026 17:26:41 +0000
📰 What Happened
An aircraft using Joby Aviation's autonomy technology flew more than 3,100 miles across the United States. No human pilot took control at any point. Joby called it the first autonomous flight across the country.
The trip included self-driving taxiing, takeoffs, navigation and landings. The aircraft was watched remotely from Joby's base in California and Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. A pilot was on board only to meet rules, and Joby says the plane flew itself the whole way.
The plane is a converted Cessna Caravan. It will fly back to the West Coast over two weeks, stopping in cities such as Louisville, Kentucky, and Salt Lake City.
🔍 The Backstory
Joby is best known for building electric air taxis that take off and land straight up, called eVTOLs. The company has spent years seeking approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to carry passengers.
The test shows Joby wants a second business beyond air taxis. It says the same technology could help with medical transport, disaster response and military supply runs.
🎯 Why It Matters
Self-flying planes could one day move cargo and patients without a pilot, making some flights cheaper and safer. They could also reach places where pilots are hard to find.
An aircraft using Joby Aviation's autonomy technology flew more than 3,100 miles across the United States. No human pilot took control at any point. Joby called it the first autonomous flight across the country.
The trip included self-driving taxiing, takeoffs, navigation and landings. The aircraft was watched remotely from Joby's base in California and Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. A pilot was on board only to meet rules, and Joby says the plane flew itself the whole way.
The plane is a converted Cessna Caravan. It will fly back to the West Coast over two weeks, stopping in cities such as Louisville, Kentucky, and Salt Lake City.
Joby is best known for building electric air taxis that take off and land straight up, called eVTOLs. The company has spent years seeking approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to carry passengers.
The test shows Joby wants a second business beyond air taxis. It says the same technology could help with medical transport, disaster response and military supply runs.
Self-flying planes could one day move cargo and patients without a pilot, making some flights cheaper and safer. They could also reach places where pilots are hard to find.