Joby Aviation flies first eVTOL Integration Pilot Program flights in Texas

Joby Aviation has started its first flights under the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), with a week-long series of operations across the Dallas-Fort Worth region. The company performed a demonstration at Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport on September 10, 2026, marking the first eIPP flight in Texas.

The eIPP was introduced by the Transportation Department in March 2026 to test advanced air mobility vehicles in real-world settings. Joby was among the selected developers, along with Archer Aviation, BETA Technologies, Electra, and Wisk. BETA conducted the first program flights in July 2026 in Maryland and Virginia. Electra and Elroy Air, which are not eVTOL developers, have also completed eIPP flights.

On September 12, 2026, Joby's aircraft is scheduled to fly a round trip from Alliance Airport to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, entering controlled airspace to test operations between major airports. The company will also perform a round-trip flight from Alliance Airport to demonstrate low-noise operations over infrastructure including the Fort Worth Stockyards.

Later in the week, Joby plans a flight along the operational route connecting Alliance Airport to Toyota's corporate campus. The flights are part of Texas DOT's Project Nexus proposal and involve cooperation among federal, state, and local governments and private industry. JoeBen Bevirt, Joby's founder and CEO, said the program provides an opportunity to bring the aircraft into urban areas and accelerate progress toward commercial service.