Joby autonomous Cessna Caravan completes uncrewed cross-country flight
A converted Cessna 208B Grand Caravan flew itself across the United States over several days, with a safety pilot aboard who made no control inputs, according to Joby Aviation.
A converted Cessna 208B Grand Caravan flew across the United States with no pilot at the controls, Joby Aviation said. The aircraft left Buchanan Field in Concord, California, on September 7, 2026. A safety pilot was aboard for the entire trip but made no control inputs, according to the company.
The aircraft taxied, took off, navigated and landed on its own, and rerouted around thunderstorms along the way. The flight was supervised remotely from Joby's Autonomy Headquarters in California and from Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina.
Distances reached 2,323 miles (3,739 km). The Caravan arrived at Dare County Regional Airport in North Carolina's Outer Banks on September 14, having covered 3,199 miles (5,148 km). Joby announced the result on September 18.
Sources
- simpleflying.comThis Aircraft Just Made A Historic Flight & No One Was Flying It