Joby Aviation (JOBY) is taking another big step toward making urban air taxis an actual thing rather than just a cool idea. The company announced Tuesday it's preparing to install the first of two high-tech CAE flight simulators at its pilot training facility in Marina, California.
This isn't just about having fancy equipment. The flight simulator installation marks a critical milestone in building a pipeline of certified pilots who can actually fly these all-electric air taxis once regulatory approval comes through. Without trained pilots ready to go, even the most impressive aircraft just sit on the ground looking expensive.
Vertical Integration Meets Aviation
Joby's Marina facility has been getting a serious upgrade. The company recently expanded the site to double its production capacity, and it now serves as a central hub for manufacturing, testing, and training all under one roof. By integrating Level 7 and Level C simulators developed in partnership with CAE, Joby is streamlining how commercial pilots can earn powered-lift type ratings for these new aircraft.
This approach aligns with Joby's broader strategy of vertical integration, where the company controls everything from flight deck hardware to pilot training in-house. The goal is maintaining the highest safety standards without relying on outside partners for critical operations. It's the Tesla playbook, but for flying cars.
Investors seem to like what they're seeing. Joby stock has climbed more than 50% over the past six months, and the company is planning to double its total manufacturing capacity by 2027 to support its global air taxi ambitions.
Taking Flight at CES
The timing here is interesting. While Joby preps its training facility, CEO JoeBen Bevirt is scheduled to speak at CES 2026 in Las Vegas on Wednesday. He'll likely discuss the intersection of physical AI and software-defined mobility, which is exactly the kind of futuristic talk that gets the tech world excited.
With commercial launches targeted for late 2026, the progress at the pilot training facility combined with a high-profile presence at CES signals that Joby's urban air taxis are transitioning from concept to tangible reality. Whether they can actually deliver on that timeline is the question investors are watching closely, but at least the pieces are starting to fall into place.
