Joby Aviation has received the first of two flight simulators developed with CAE for eVTOL aircraft pilot training. The two simulators will support training of up to 250 pilots annually.
The first is a fixed-base training device and is being installed this month at Joby’s manufacturing and pilot training center in Marina, California. The second unit is a full-motion simulator and will be delivered later this year.
The simulators are scheduled to be qualified among the highest FAA classifications for flight simulation, the first as a Level 7 Flight Training Device and the second as a Level C Full Flight Simulator that simulates Joby’s aircraft on all axes of motion.
“These simulators are central to the FAA certification process and are being delivered on time to support pilot training ahead of Joby’s first commercial flights planned for this year,” said Bonny Simi, president of operations for Joby. “Developing flight fully qualified simulators takes years of work and access to aircraft data, and it is required for Part 135 operations of eVTOL aircraft in the United States.”
Joby began working with CAE in 2022 to develop the simulators.
Both simulators feature a 300-by-130-degree field of view and use CAE’s Prodigy Image Generator, which leverages Epic Games’ Unreal Engine to provide 3D urban visuals. The simulator has audio cues, turbulence and vibration systems to replicate real-world flight conditions, including wind flow around ground-based structures.
Alexandre Prévost, president of civil aviation at CAE, said the simulators set a benchmark for training infrastructure in urban air mobility.
“By leveraging decades of expertise in high-fidelity simulation, we are helping Joby prepare pilots for safe, efficient operations and supporting the industry’s transition to sustainable air transportation,” Prévost said.
Joby and CAE developed and tested simulator components and software using simulated, emulated and real hardware equipment across facilities in Marina, Santa Cruz and San Carlos, California, and Joby’s software development facility in Costa Rica.
