A cohort of U.S. Air Force service members have completed a four-week maintenance training program with Joby Aviation, the company announced on December 5.

According to Joby, several aircraft technicians and one flight test pilot participated in the four-week-long electric aircraft maintenance training program, which took place at the company’s flight test and manufacturing facilities in Marina, California. 

In addition to classroom instruction, trainees got hands-on practice completing inspections and preflight checks on Joby’s production prototype JAS4-1 eVTOL aircraft. 

“We’re pleased to have successfully completed another engagement with the U.S. Air Force, providing the government with a technical overview of electric aircraft maintenance operations while we received feedback from experienced service members to further hone our in-house maintenance training program,” commented Bonny Simi, president of operations at Joby.

Joby has been developing this maintenance program as part of its ongoing work with the U.S. Air Force’s Afwerx innovation unit, which awarded the company an Agility Prime contract worth up to $131 million. Under that contract, Joby has begun delivering eVTOL aircraft to USAF bases.

The USAF maintenance training program is based on an aircraft maintenance manual that Joby developed for its FAA type certification efforts. Joby is aiming to have the five-seat JAS4-1 eVTOL aircraft certified for commercial air taxi operations in late 2025.