Joby Aviation has installed CAE flight simulators at its Marina, California pilot training facility, marking a major milestone in its urban air mobility roadmap. The new full-motion simulators replicate Joby’s S4 eVTOL aircraft systems and flight characteristics, enabling pilots to complete up to 80% of their initial training hours in a controlled environment. Joby plans to certify the training curriculum with the Federal Aviation Administration by Q3 2026, positioning itself to have a cadre of 50 fully trained commercial pilots ready for its anticipated late-2026 launch.

The company announced plans to double its manufacturing capacity by the end of 2027 through a combination of facility expansions and strategic partnerships. Joby’s current production line in Marina can assemble up to 50 aircraft per year; the expanded setup aims to boost that figure to 100 annual units. This ramp-up aligns with Joby’s target to commence commercial passenger flights in several U.S. cities in late 2026, with initial routes focused on high-density corridors where ground traffic delays average over 30 minutes per trip.

Investor sentiment around Joby has strengthened, with shares up more than 50% over the past six months. Yesterday’s 12% surge on heavy volume was driven by the announcement of a collaboration with Metropolis to develop 25 vertiports across key metropolitan regions, including Los Angeles, Miami, and Dallas. The deal secures takeoff and landing infrastructure for Joby’s S4 fleet and underscores growing institutional interest, as trading data showed significant upticks in block trades alongside robust retail participation.