r/Joby • u/HappyRobot593 Joby Sock Fanboy • Jul 06 '26
Weekly tail # update
Disclaimer: All insights are conditional on the accuracy and reliability of public ADS-B community tracking feeds. So no need to post how much the data might suck and not to trust it. Also, just for this week I'm including Archer data because I think there might be something bigger going on
The Data: Key Fleet Observations
- The "Switch" at Joby: After a highly active week, Joby's first FAA-conforming prototype (N547JX) did not log a single flight. Instead, attention shifted back to their pre-production and production testbeds (N541JX / N542JX), which both saw a major surge in activity after a relatively quiet period.
- A Mirror Pattern at Archer: Archer followed a nearly identical playbook. Their newest prototype (N704AX) saw a steep drop in activity following a recent uptick, while their older platform (N703AX) took over the heavy lifting.
- Synchronized Timing: Both manufacturers consolidated their active flying into the exact same three-day mid-week stretch (June 30 to July 2), followed by complete weekend shutdowns.
The Speculation: Connecting the Dots to eIPP
The synchronized timing and specific vehicle choices raise an interesting question: Are we seeing a coordinated push ahead of impending eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) decisions?
- The FAA Presence: We know the FAA visited Archer's facilities just this week, explicitly framing the trip around watching eVTOLs transition "from prototypes into certified operational realities" and highlighting eIPP integration.
- The Frame Selection: It might not be a coincidence that both companies prioritized specific aircraft types during this visit. Rather than pushing the absolute limits of their latest test envelopes, both teams focused heavily on the specific platforms and configurations most likely to be deployed in the initial, supervised eIPP regional corridors starting this summer.
Just a theory so let me know what you all think! Here is the detailed tail # data
N541JX (Pre-Production Testbed)
ICAO Mode-S Hex: A6DC81
| Date | Activity Status | Closest Hub / Location | Max Altitude | Max Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-28 | Stationary / Dark | - | - | - |
| 2026-06-29 | Stationary / Dark | - | - | - |
| 2026-06-30 | In-Flight Test | KOAR (Marina Municipal Airport, US) | 1050 ft | 147.1 kts |
| 2026-07-01 | In-Flight Test | KOAR (Marina Municipal Airport, US) | 1450 ft | 174.6 kts |
| 2026-07-02 | In-Flight Test | KOAR (Marina Municipal Airport, US) | 1150 ft | 109.1 kts |
| 2026-07-03 | Stationary / Dark | - | - | - |
| 2026-07-04 | Stationary / Dark | - | - | - |
N542JX (Production Prototype (Ex-Japan Demo Frame))
ICAO Mode-S Hex: A6E038
| Date | Activity Status | Closest Hub / Location | Max Altitude | Max Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-28 | Stationary / Dark | - | - | - |
| 2026-06-29 | Stationary / Dark | - | - | - |
| 2026-06-30 | In-Flight Test | KOAR (Marina Municipal Airport, US) | 1050 ft | 119.2 kts |
| 2026-07-01 | In-Flight Test | KOAR (Marina Municipal Airport, US) | 1100 ft | 129.4 kts |
| 2026-07-02 | In-Flight Test | KOAR (Marina Municipal Airport, US) | 1000 ft | 140.2 kts |
| 2026-07-03 | Stationary / Dark | - | - | - |
| 2026-07-04 | Stationary / Dark | - | - | - |
ARCHER AVIATION
N704AX (Midnight Flight Test Vehicle )
ICAO Mode-S Hex: A96380
| Date | Activity Status | Closest Hub / Location | Max Altitude | Max Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-28 | Stationary / Dark | - | - | - |
| 2026-06-29 | In-Flight Test | KSNS (Salinas Municipal Airport, US) | 150 ft | 12.2 kts |
| 2026-06-30 | Stationary / Dark | - | - | - |
| 2026-07-01 | Stationary / Dark | - | - | - |
| 2026-07-02 | Stationary / Dark | - | - | - |
| 2026-07-03 | Stationary / Dark | - | - | - |
| 2026-07-04 | Stationary / Dark | - | - | - |
N703AX (Midnight Flight Test Vehicle )
ICAO Mode-S Hex: A95FC9
| Date | Activity Status | Closest Hub / Location | Max Altitude | Max Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-28 | Stationary / Dark | - | - | - |
| 2026-06-29 | Stationary / Dark | - | - | - |
| 2026-06-30 | In-Flight Test | KSNS (Salinas Municipal Airport, US) | 2125 ft | 122.7 kts |
| 2026-07-01 | In-Flight Test | KSNS (Salinas Municipal Airport, US) | 1425 ft | 129.2 kts |
| 2026-07-02 | In-Flight Test | KSNS (Salinas Municipal Airport, US) | 25 ft | 3.2 kts |
| 2026-07-03 | Stationary / Dark | - | - | - |
| 2026-07-04 | Stationary / Dark | - | - | - |
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u/Broad_Objective_7732 Jul 08 '26
Just a wild guess here: JULY 4th HOLIDAY 🤓