Joby Conducts Air Taxi Simulations with NASA

The simulations, jointly developed by Joby and NASA airspace engineers, tested scenarios with dozens of eVTOL aircraft per hour flying into and out of the complex, busy airspace in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) region using today's airspace system By Joe Macey / 02 Jan 2024
Joby NASA simulation demonstrates 120 air taxi ops in busy airspace
Follow AAMi

Joby Aviation has completed a series of air traffic simulations with NASA’s Ames Research Center.

The aim was to evaluate how air taxi operations can be integrated into today’s airspace, including at busy airports, using existing air traffic control (ATC) tools and procedures.

The simulations, jointly developed by Joby and NASA airspace engineers following a multi-year airspace study, tested scenarios with dozens of eVTOL aircraft per hour flying into and out of the complex, busy airspace in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) region using today’s airspace system.

The activity took place at NASA’s Future Flight Central, a high-fidelity virtual tower facility offering a 360-degree view of a real-time simulation of an airport, where a team of NASA and Joby engineers, as well as pilots and air traffic controllers, simulated traffic patterns at Dallas Love Field (DAL) and DFW airports, representative of complex and busy airspace.

During the simulation, participating teams of controllers virtually tested the ability to integrate up to 120 eVTOL operations – arrivals or departures – per hour from DFW’s Central Terminal Area, alongside the airport’s existing traffic. Up to 45 simulated eVTOL aircraft were simultaneously aloft in DFW’s Class B airspace during the activity.

“Working alongside our NASA colleagues, we have now demonstrated in a real-world simulation how air taxi operations can take place in today’s airspace system, alongside active airport traffic, using tools and procedures currently available to air traffic controllers,” said Tom Prevot, Air Taxi Product Lead at Joby. “These successful simulations were made possible by years of careful planning and collaboration between two organizations committed to redefining what is possible, and we’re proud to be paving the way towards the scaled commercialization of air taxis in the National Airspace System.”

Following scenarios developed by NASA and Joby airspace engineers, participating controllers employed some of the highly-structured routes and procedures used today in busy low-altitude airspace regions, including Letters of Agreement and dedicated controller positions to scale air taxi operations without impacting existing traffic.

NASA and Joby engineers hosted representatives from the FAA and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) to observe the simulation.

Posted by Joe Macey Edited by Joseph Macey, Editor and Copywriter and experienced journalist with an active interest in advanced air mobility. Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

Most Read Articles on Advanced Air Mobility International in August 2025

We covered a number of significant developments in July 2025 on AAMI, including developments from Aspen Avionics, SkyDrive, and Pivotal

Sep 01, 2025
SkyDrive Demonstrates eVTOL Flights at Expo 2025 in Osaka

SkyDrive has conducted successful SKYDRIVE SD-05 demonstration flights at Expo 2025 in Osaka between July 31 and August 24, and will continue public demonstrations from Osakako Vertiport in September

Aug 29, 2025
New Approaches to Confine eVTOL Outwash in Urban Vertiport Sites

Peniel Infrastructure introduces modular outwash mitigation systems that enable safe, space-efficient urban vertiports, overcoming FAA-defined airflow challenges that hinder viable UAM deployment

Aug 29, 2025
FlyNow to Showcase Fully Electric eVTOL at Saudi Drone Exhibition 2025

FlyNow Arabia will showcase its modular eCopter at the Saudi Drone Exhibition 2025, highlighting its prototype, technology demonstrations, and panel participation

Aug 27, 2025
SkyDrive–Whitesky Alliance to Advance Indonesian eVTOL Operations

SkyDrive is partnering with PT Whitesky Aviation (Whitesky) to accelerate the adoption of eVTOL aircraft in Indonesia and explore business models that can transform both urban and industrial mobility

Aug 26, 2025
Archer Conducts Longest Piloted Flight with Midnight eVTOL

Archer Aviation’s Midnight aircraft completed its longest piloted flight, 55 miles in 31 minutes, marking a major milestone toward FAA certification and commercialization

Aug 22, 2025