In a new Aviation Week podcast episode, reporter Guy Norris discusses his unique experience when he was invited behind the scenes at Joby Aviation to witness a flight test of its new electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft.

Joby Aviation’s air taxi is a piloted, five-seater vehicle capable of flying 320 kilometers per hour and covers a distance of 240km on a single charge. The aircraft is 100 times quieter than conventional aircraft during take-off and landing, and near-silent when flying overhead

In February 2020, Jameel Investment Management Company (JIMCO), the investment arm of Abdul Latif Jameel, announced its participation in a Series C round of funding for the California-based start-up, which raised an additional $590 million in capital.  The investment round brings Joby Aviation’s total funding to $720 million – making it the best-funded electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) start-up globally.

The move is in line with Abdul Latif Jameel’s strategy of making high-stakes investments in the future of mobility. 

A pioneer in the electric air taxi market, Joby Aviation is developing and certifying a piloted, all-electric, vertical take-off and landing aircraft. The vehicle will enable affordable air taxi services both in the Middle East and globally.

Listen to the full podcast episode here.