Tracked metric

FAA type-certification stage

How far an aircraft has progressed through the FAA's 5-stage type-certification process — the real finish line before US passenger service. Joby completed Stage 4 in 2026; Stage 5 is the certificate itself. (China's EHang is already certified via a separate regulator for its autonomous model.)

Stage 4 / 5Reached · Mar 2026 Stage 5 (certified)FAA type certificate — clearance for commercial passenger flights.

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4 stage Mar 2026 Joby Aviation Press · 2026-03
3 stage Jan 2026 Archer Aviation Database · 2026-01
3 stage 2024 Joby Aviation Press · 2026
2 stage 2024 Archer Aviation Database · 2025
2 stage 2022 Joby Aviation Database · 2026

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Explainer Apr 8, 2026

The 5 stages of air-taxi certification

An eVTOL can fly thousands of test flights and still not be allowed to carry a paying passenger. The gate is FAA type certification — a five-stage process — and it, not flashy demos, is the real finish line.

Air Taxis (eVTOL)

Joby Aviation

Archer Aviation

EHang

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