Joby flies modified Cessna Caravan autonomously across the US

Joby Aviation has autonomously flown a modified Cessna Caravan across the United States, the company said on 18 September. The converted single-engine turboprop covered 3,199 miles (5,150km) from California to North Carolina over several days, according to Joby, finishing its eastbound trip on 15 September in the Outer Banks.

Joby said the aircraft made the journey without control inputs from an onboard safety pilot. The autonomy system handled taxiing, take-offs, route navigation and landings. Flights were supervised remotely from the company's autonomy headquarters in California and from a site at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina, at distances of up to 2,323 miles.

The route ran in several legs. The Caravan left Concord, California on 8 September and flew to Phoenix, Arizona, then onwards to Fort Worth, Texas the same day. On 11 September it departed Fort Worth for Shaw Air Force Base. The final leg to the Outer Banks was flown on 15 September.

Joby, best known as a developer of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, acquired the autonomy technology from Xwing in 2024. The company said the system behind the tour rests on more than 400 flights and 800 automated flight hours, building on Xwing's existing autonomy stack.

"This journey across America offers a glimpse into a new era of aviation," chief executive JoeBen Bevirt said, adding that autonomy could connect remote communities, deliver critical supplies, speed disaster response, support military operations and keep pilots out of harm's way.

A westbound return trip is due to follow, with stops planned in several US cities including Raleigh, Oklahoma City and Portland.