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 Joseph Macey is a Content Specialist at Advanced Air Mobility International, focusing on emerging aviation technologies since joining in 2022. He has particular expertise in eVTOLs, vertiports, and propulsion systems. A graduate of Falmouth University in Journalism, Joseph began his career in 2019 as a local reporter. His journalism experience sharpens both his reporting and interview skills, enabling him to deliver well-informed, authoritative insights on the latest trends in the aviation sector. Connect

Latest Articles

Archer Aviation to Participate in White House eVTOL Integration Pilot Program

Archer partners with U.S. airlines and cities under the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program to demonstrate safe, quiet, and scalable electric air taxi operations, supporting the path toward eventual commercial deployment

Sep 18, 2025
Joby Plans Participation in White House eVTOL Integration Program

Joby Aviation is aiming to join the White House eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), showcasing its mature eVTOL technology, FAA certification progress, and growing production capacity for future air taxi operations

Sep 17, 2025
XPENG AEROHT eVTOL Secures Manned Flight Permit & Partnership Agreement in UAE

XPENG AEROHT has been granted a manned flight permit in the UAE and signed a collaboration for its modular flying car, Land Aircraft Carrier, following successful flight demonstrations, inspections, and advancements in eVTOL technology

Sep 16, 2025
Future Passenger Journeys Combining eVTOL Flights & Rail

SkyDrive and JR East demonstrated how eVTOL flights could seamlessly connect with rail travel, showcasing future multimodal transportation and announcing a SKYDRIVE aircraft pre-order

Sep 15, 2025
Piloted Wingborne Testing Completed for Full-Scale eVTOL Prototype

Vertical Aerospace has completed Phase 3 piloted wingborne testing of its full-scale VX4 eVTOL prototype, demonstrating stable takeoff, flight, and landing using wing-generated lift over 250 miles of test flights in preparation for its final transition stage

Sep 12, 2025
Joby Demonstrates Superpilot Autonomous Flight in U.S. Pacific Defense Exercise

Joby Aviation has successfully validated its Superpilot autonomous flight system during the U.S. Air Force’s REFORPAC exercise, completing over 7,000 miles and 40 hours of autonomous operations across the Pacific

Sep 11, 2025