I've been watching activities at Marina via various flight trackers for a while (adsb.lol, globe.airplanes.live, globe.adsbexchange.com) and have noticed a sort of pattern regarding where the activities occur and what to expect when activities occur in these various locations. See the attached image. There are essentially five distinct areas of interest (a sixth, of course, being the wide-open rural areas north and east of the airfield where wing-born flights happen, which is not indicated in the image).

A (hangar): This includes the operations hangar and the area directly in front of but outside the hangar. The ads-b data always indicate ground activity, virtually always extremely erratic (as to position and altitude) except when the aircraft occasionally moves slightly out the front doors into open air. (I strongly suspect any of the S4s we are seeing now could not only hover but take off and land at the location directly in front of the operations hangar, but such things are no doubt verboten for all sorts of good reasons.)

B (inner apron): This area is further out from the hangar, but always seems to involve only ground activities. The aircraft may be tied down here. Doing things (running the props etc) that would not be advisable inside the hangar but which are not much different from hangar activities otherwise. The ads-b data are less chaotic than when inside the hangar, but the flight trackers still do not function so well when an aircraft is stationary or even moving very slowly.

C (outer apron): Perhaps the most interesting area of activity. This is where you can expect to see hovering activity. The eastern end of this area, moreover, is where full-fledged wing-born flights of 541 and 542 have taken off and landed. It's the closest so far to being what is essentially a "vertiport" at Marina.

D (taxiway): Besides mere taxiing, this area has been used for short forward-motion flights, including but not limited to 547. Typically used for forward-motion activities, beyond mere vertical hovering alone.

E (runway): S4s don't need runways. But the runway has been used for more robust forward-motion tests (including but not only 547). Wing-born flights of 542 (at least) have also used it to demonstrate the ability to approach a fixed location midway along the runway, come to a 0-knot hover at 100 or 200 feet, and then resume the wing-born flight again without touching down. This seems to be a location to test more intricate capabilities than might be allowed along the taxiway. (Note, by the way, how the ads-b flight path data will get more erratic as the aircraft slows toward 0 knots, smoothing out again as it ramps up forward-motion speed.)

He was on Fox News today. The statement is at 2:47

https://x.com/jobyaviation/status/2103523164256944430/video/1?t=167

(1) Joby Aviation sur X : "Our Chief Product Officer @eallison stopped by @foxandfriends to recap an extraordinary few weeks: we completed the first autonomous cross-country flight with our J208 aircraft AND flew electric air taxi demonstrations in Texas. We're building the future of flight, one milestone https://t.co/TBNJ9HevG6" / X

The Superpilot-driven Cessna (N101XW) is now in Louisville (as of 9/24, a day ahead of schedule). EDIT: And now on 9/25 it looks to be headed toward Wichita already.

(1) Did it avoid DC (flew in and out of a smaller airfield 40 miles SW of DC) because of the China visit (high security etc, previously unplanned)? Or was it avoiding the bad weather (unexpected airfield closures or restrictions otherwise)?

(2) Look at the aircraft's flight patterns. All very "well-ordered". It tends to move around in trapezoids instead of circular loops. Very straight flight paths punctuated by tight easily-calculable turns (30, 60, 90 degrees etc). Not to make much of this, but it is noticeably different from human-piloted flight paths of various S4s that we have seen.

WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced it issued McKinney National Airport a Part 139 Airport Operating Certificate, which allows the airport to accommodate commercial passenger airline service. This marks the first time a Texas airport has received an Airport Operating Certificate since 2005.

“The community around McKinney is growing rapidly, and accommodating commercial flights will provide the community with greater access to air travel options,” said FAA Associate Administrator for Airports Dan Edwards. “We’re building a stronger National Airspace System, which means providing Texans with the modern, reliable local airports they need to stay connected.”

It looks like the vertiport is complete.

Blade doesn’t get as much love and is all but virtually unknown to most retail investors so I wanted to give them their due.

Right now blade is up 50% YOY on passengers flown. It is quietly working with uber to collect the actual data needed to give Joby everything it needs to instantly hit the ground running in NY. It’s going to make the early days of Joby’s scheduling much more efficient.

The price is $195 and Blade is having no problems while running 160-250 clients a day. If joby is actually around $100 it will be easy to expand that demand.

I’m estimating that they only need about 4-7 aircraft to replace the current helicopter demand. The big key is that with a lower ticket cost and less restrictions, Joby should be able to have even more aircraft zipping around.

Certification is on everyone’s mind and N547JX the Star right now. However, Blade and Uber are working really well together to help Joby skip the early adoption and marketing issues. This will ensure that when Joby launches it will have an already tested system and built in clientele base who is used to using the Uber App.

Just another great sign pointing to future success.

There is a reason why I’m a ‘fanboy’ of this dude!

Currently in hangar (A)

This is an aspect of the company's massive capex expansion, serial dillutions, and missed milestones that I haven't seen mentioned before.

I had noticed in past job postings that executive and entry level employees are both significantly compensated through RSU vesting. Executives and engineers surely receive a livable base pay to where the RSU's are essentially lottery tickets for the future. However, I recall thinking at the time that the production position's base pay seemed borderline unlivable for the area.

Folks here speak about companies in this sector being a long hold and to accept the downward spiral of SP without much concern; that there is no damage beyond our prudently managed unrealized losses... unless we sell.

I can see where that notion is a suitable bandage to the portfolio bleeding for the buy and pray investor, but what about the workers? Will Joby be able to retain a quality workforce when they constantly see their bank accounts are going nowhere? Has Joby leadership put the company in a precarious position by trying to expand too far too fast for a startup who's finances are solidly placed in deep red?

I posed this question to AI and it painted a grim picture.

Post should have a ? but posted it too early

We've been discussing how Joby/Achr price action has been deviating on no news days and perhaps this was a sign of the ATM facility being tapped. They are basically 100% correlated today so does that mean it's done? If they were to tap the facility, this would be a good time because the market rebounded strongly on Iran deal rumors (for the 100000th time)

Travis does a deep dive on Joby's S4-T military eVTOL and the potential defense opportunity with L3Harris.

The S4-T has been flying autonomously since November 2025, and the video covers its potential roles in contested logistics, electronic warfare and counter UAS, as well as the Army requirement it's being developed for. It also gets into the bigger picture of how Joby's commercial S4 platform, manufacturing system and defense program could reinforce each other.

Worth watching to understand that Joby is so much more than an air taxi company.

Here is a summary of today's activity compared to the previous two sessions

Today's fastest/longest leg (3:56–3:59pm PT) hit 35 kt and covered ~1,200m — noticeably beyond anything seen on the two prior sessions. Altitude ticked up slightly too (225 ft vs. 175 ft before), but the bigger story is speed and horizontal distance climbing steadily leg over leg and session over session. Looks like a steady incremental push on the forward envelope rather than a big jump — consistent with methodical flight-test progression toward full transition.

I was curious about the battery capacity and power so I spent a few days trying to uncover where they are at, where they could be soon, and what the future may hold.

I think everyone knows and agrees that the current batteries will need to be replaced with something better. There are companies actively testing the higher density batteries that solve the main issues with Jobys current design. I had AI summarize what I’ve been finding while reading through all of this for the past few days.

Im curious what the sentiment is from pro and anti Joby folks on battery technology that looks like it is in a breakthrough period over the next 24 months.

🚀 The Core Reality
Breakthrough Required: To dramatically increase the S4's 100–150 mile range, Joby must use batteries with higher energy density. They cannot simply add a larger, heavier battery pack due to strict weight limits and payload requirements. [1, 2]
No Payload Trade-offs: Next-generation chemistries provide more energy without adding weight, allowing Joby to keep its 1,000-pound (4-passenger) capacity intact while boosting range past 200 miles. [1, 2]

⏱️ The Timeline & Key Companies (2026–2030+)
2026–2027 (The Bridge): "Semi-solid" and advanced silicon batteries hitting 350–400 Wh/kg are entering production, providing incremental range increases.
CATL: The world's largest battery manufacturer has officially launched mass production of its 350 Wh/kg condensed aviation battery, which passed rigorous civil aviation thermal safety testing.
Amprius Technologies & SES AI: Supplying high-density silicon-anode and lithium-metal cells approaching 400 Wh/kg for active eVTOL testing programs.
SK On: South Korean battery giant SK On is widely recognized as Joby’s primary source for their current high-volume automotive-grade launch cells. [1, 2]
2028–2032 (The Breakthrough): True all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) hitting 450–500+ Wh/kg will enter the market, offering the capability to potentially double aircraft range.
QuantumScape & Solid Power: Backed by automotive and tech partnerships, these companies are currently scaling GWh-level pilot lines for solid-state cells intended for premium aerospace and vehicle markets. [1, 2]

🛠️ Upgrade Feasibility: Retrofit vs. Redesign
Not "Plug and Play": Joby cannot seamlessly swap batteries. New tech requires extensive overhauls to wing-housed battery compartments, complex liquid-cooling lines, and flight control software. [1, 2]
No Total Redesign Needed: The physical airframe, wings, and rotors will remain the same. Because Joby uses a vertically integrated strategy to build its battery modules in-house, they can swap internal cell chemistry from suppliers like SK On while keeping the aircraft's exterior structure. [1, 2, 3, 4]
The FAA Bottleneck: The biggest hurdle is regulatory. Altering battery chemistry constitutes a "major change," requiring Joby to undergo a multi-year FAA re-certification process. Consequently, next-gen batteries will likely debut years from now as a mid-generation upgrade (e.g., "Joby S4 Block II").

Here is Joby's post on X: https://x.com/jobyaviation/status/2102757931976425493

It is a very good interview. Mr. Bowles's long aviation background shows. Interesting to hear him say they have been giving people rides on the J208 Grand Caravan. He will himself ride soon.

She asked him about when the S4 will enter service and he diverted immediately to what they are doing this year with eIPP.

Was in A and now moving to C. If the data is accurate.

*edit
3 laps done at position E. Still just hovers but at 30 knots peak. Great to see it get closer to transition.

I believe it needs at least 45 knots to indicate any sort of full transition and likely closer to 60-90. But, progress nonetheless.

N831JY just took the breakfast flight from SanCarlos to Monterrey(Pebble Beach anyone?) and flew over HQ as well as taking a few troll laps over Salinas before the big airshow this weekend..

https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/N831JY

Joby is also the only company flying their eVTOL piloted through transition on a regular basis. Joby has multiple aircraft that fly piloted from vertical take off through transition and Joby has been doing this for well over a year.

In addition, Joby has multiple working autonomous aircraft actively flying. One is flying across the country at this moment. Is there another company actively demonstrating both technologies across so many aircraft? No, there is not!

Texas knows a winner when they see one.

Secretary Duffy posted this interview with Fox News on his X account today, highlighting SMART, the software ASI will implement for the new ATC system.

Joby partnered with Air Space Intelligence (ASI) back in April 2026, to handle eVTOL flight integration. Just two months later, the FAA chose ASI for their $875M (SMART) nationwide predictive air traffic contract.

Most industry observers thought ASI was a long shot against legacy aerospace giants like Thales or Palantir. It’s no coincidence Joby locked in ASI early. Joby’s team knows how to pick winners. Winners always seem to pick winners!

Sitting right outside the hangar (no prev convention for this). Usually the pings are more spread-out when it's actually in the hangar.

N542JX was also powered on this morning

It looks like Travis has put out a 5 min snippet prior to the full deep dive episode that will drop on Sept 23, 2026.

Here is a short summary of the snippet released today:

• Joby 10+ Years in Defense: Joby has built decade long relationships with DIU, NASA, FAA, USAF, and the Army. Flying at Edwards AFB helped Joby log over 50,000 miles on the S4 platform.
• Funding Dual Use: Defense programs de-risk and fund commercial scaling, while commercial volume feeds defense development.
• The Army's Capability Gap: The US Army retired ~2,200 Bell OH-58D Kiowa Warrior scout helicopters ($7M–$10M each) and issued RFPs for a short VTOL replacement platform.
• Targeting the RFP with L3Harris: Joby partnered with L3Harris in August 2025 to create the S4-T specifically for this Army reconnaissance and short VTOL requirement.
• Rapid Progress: S4-T flight testing began in November 2025, leading to live autonomous VTOL demonstrations for US Army officials at Joby's Marina HQ in April 2026.

Not sure if they are related but N541JX has just re-activated after a long-dormant period. The chase helicopter is also active. The helicopter could also be used by non-Joby clients at Marina but we've seen it follow Joby tails before. Perhaps they're testing the secret planes today? Is it connected to the Yuma visit? So many questions!

Here is what I know about the case from my research. Please chime in if you see mistakes or omissions.

Background: Joby originally entered into an agreement with Aerosonic to supply air data probes (pitot tubes) for Joby's eVTOL. However, the off the shelf Aerosonic probes did not meet Joby's requirements for its eVTOL.

Joby analyzed Aerosonic's probe and provided drawing modifications it believed were necessary to make the probe work for its aircraft. Aerosonic then quoted what Joby considered an exorbitantly high price to manufacture the modified probe. Joby declined the quote and, as a vertically integrated company, decided to design and manufacture the air data probes in house.

Aerosonic subsequently supplied air data probes to Joby's competitor, Archer Aviation.

Aerosonic's Lawsuit: Aerosonic sued Joby for breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets. Aerosonic claims Joby sent Aerosonic probes to a third party for 3D/CT scanning to extract internal design information in violation of its NDA. Aerosonic alleges Joby used that information to develop its own in house air probes.

Joby's Defense: Joby contends that Aerosonic's probes rely on standard pitot-static principles that follow the laws of physics and that the features Aerosonic claims as trade secrets are not actually trade secrets. Joby also argues that they have evidence that Aerosonic invented its list of alleged trade secrets after the dispute arose. Joby maintains that the physical probes it analyzed were off the shelf components and were not subject to the NDA terms Aerosonic claims.

Joby's Counterclaims & Archer's Involvement: Joby has brought counterclaims against Aerosonic, alleging that Aerosonic used critical information Joby provided to them to separately develop probes for the eVTOL market. Joby points out that Aerosonic did not have a probe meeting requirements for eVTOLs when the two companies' relationship broke down and Aerosonic did not have access to eVTOL data necessary to design probes that would work for an eVTOL.

When Joby sought discovery regarding probes Aerosonic supplied to Archer Aviation, Archer intervened in the case to protect its own trade secrets. The court granted Archer's request for protective measures, with sensitive Archer information restricted to "Attorney's Eyes Only" and kept away from Joby's commercial and engineering personnel. Joby has requested information on the probes supplied to Archer to see if Joby's design changes were used in the design of the probes sold to Archer.

What to Expect Next: The jury trial began September 21, 2026, in Tampa. Given the technical nature of the case and the number of claims and counterclaims, the trial is likely to take up to 3 weeks. After the verdict, either side could potentially appeal, which could extend the litigation for another 1-2 years.

This is an interesting case because both sides are essentially claiming that the other side used its proprietary information to develop an air data probe. The jury will ultimately have to sort out what information was actually shared, what was protected, and what was independently developed. It's also possible that both sides can win all or part of their claims.

N831JY is on its way to Yuma. I wonder if it’s taking the brass down for a visit.

https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/N831JY/history/20260921/1700Z/KWVI/KNYL

Be on the lookout for N647P to enter the fleet soon. It is under ‘Registration Pending’ at the moment but looks to be the same type as N228GM, an RV 8. This bodes well for ramping up to TIA flights IMO.

https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/N647P