Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

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Read the latest news about Archer Aviation. 

Two contenders in the challenge to achieve FAA certification for eVTOL aircraft demonstrated their products’ electric flight capabilities at the California International Airshow at Salinas Municipal Airport (KSNS) on October 4 and 5. Archer Aviation took to the skies first, with its Midnight flying in wingborne mode followed by Joby Aviation’s S4 flying both wingborne and transitioning to vertical flight. The appearance was Joby’s first public flight demonstration at a U.S. airshow, according to the company.
Archer has a facility at KSNS, and while the company’s pilot took off and landed the Midnight on Runway 26, it was not transitioned to vertical mode during the demonstration, which included passes along the runway, highlighting the lack of noise produced by its electric powerplants.
<figure role="group" class="caption caption-img">
<img alt="Archer Aviation Midnight eVTOL aircraft" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c2354414-d1c1-42ab-afa0-4006459d8a68" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/IMG_6849.jpg" width="3672" height="2066" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Archer Aviation's Midnight eVTOL aircraft at the California International Airshow.</figcaption>
</figure>

Although Joby issued a statement following the airshow claiming that the S4 showed its full capabilities, including “vertical takeoff and landing with full transition to wingborne flight, steep ascent, and a number of other maneuvers required for precise navigation in urban areas.”&nbsp;While the demonstration didn't include a landing or takeoff at KSNS, the statement presumably refers to the takeoff and landing at Joby's nearby factory at Marina Municipal Airport (KOAR).
The test pilot flying the S4 circled over Salinas a few times still wingborne then slowed and transitioned to vertical flight. After transitioning back to wingborne flight, the S4 flew back to KOAR.&nbsp;
According to FlightAware ADS-B data, it hovered at 400 feet then climbed and descended. After transitioning back to wingborne flight, the S4 flew back to KOAR. Even in vertical mode, the S4 could barely be heard. Top groundspeed during the flight was about 150 mph.
<figure role="group" class="caption caption-img">
<img alt="Joby Aviation's S4 eVTOL aircraft" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0143d61b-f021-4c09-a17c-38fd18a68ef7" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/IMG_6886.jpg" width="3672" height="2066" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Joby Aviation's S4 eVTOL aircraft transitioned from wingborne to vertical flight during the airshow.</figcaption>
</figure>

During the two days of the airshow, Joby made two round-trip flights from KOAR to KSNS plus an additional similar flight on October 3, which may have been for practice.
Joby is building six aircraft for FAA type inspection authorization flight testing, which is expected to begin around the end of this year. According to a Joby statement, “The company is in the final stages of FAA certification and plans to carry its first passengers in Dubai in 2026. In the U.S., Joby plans to initially launch in Los Angeles and New York City.”
Although it plans to fly passengers in Dubai next year, Joby has not clarified whether it needs to obtain certification of its eVTOL aircraft in order to do so or whether it will use a conventional aircraft for these flights, at least until the eVTOL is certified. In September 2024, Joby announced that it plans to obtain an air operator certificate in the United Arab Emirates, and it is possible the company could carry passengers in an ordinary airplane, as it has been doing with its U.S. Part 135 charter certificate, which is approved to operate a piston-powered Cirrus SR22.
Although Archer has a base at KSNS, it did not exhibit the aircraft or have a booth at the airshow. Joby brought its S4 mockup to the show and encouraged visitors to sit inside in the four passenger seats and in the single pilot seat.
<figure role="group" class="caption caption-img">
<img alt="Joby's exhibit at the California International Airshow" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c0466432-2585-4530-86f9-01b232d79164" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/IMG_6824.jpg" width="4032" height="3024" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Joby's exhibit at the California International Airshow attracted crowds of interested visitors.</figcaption>
</figure>

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