Joby Aviation became the first to pull off a fully autonomous flight across the United States using a single-engine turboprop aircraft.
A converted Cessna Caravan, equipped with Joby’s J208 autonomous flight technology, flew a total of 3,199 miles (5,148 kilometers) from California to North Carolina. Its week-long transcontinental journey included a few stops along the way to demonstrate the aircraft’s capability at navigating high-density aviation traffic.
Although there was a safety pilot onboard the aircraft for precaution—as per Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations—they did not need to intervene at any point during the flight, according to Joby Aviation.
Buckle up
The cross-country trip started from Buchanan Field Airport in Concord, California, on September 7. There were a few planned stops along the route, including Phoenix Deer Valley Airport, Arizona; Fort Worth Alliance Airport, Texas; and Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina.
The aircraft performed every phase of flight autonomously, from takeoff to cruise, route navigation, and landing—and with no control inputs from its safety pilot. Joby Aviation also conducted remote supervision from its headquarters in California and Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina.
The aircraft reached its final destination of Dare County Regional Airport in the Outer Banks, North Carolina, on September 14, but its journey isn’t over yet. The Cessna now has to perform a return flight to California, with additional stops at airports in Washington, D.C., Kentucky, Kansas, Oklahoma, Utah, and Oregon.
Look ma, no hands
Aside from the recent cross-country flight, Joby is best known for its all-electric air taxis. The piloted aircraft is designed to travel up to 200 miles per hour (322 kilometers per hour), carrying up to four passengers on short, high-value routes.
Joby’s autonomous flight system, on the other hand, marks the company’s expansion beyond flying cars designed for short commutes. As the company points out, its autonomous technology can be applied in commercial freight, medical transport, disaster response, and defense logistics.
“This journey across America offers a glimpse into a new era of aviation,” JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, said in a statement. “Autonomy has an important role to play in the future of flight, allowing us to connect remote communities, deliver critical supplies, respond faster to disasters, support military operations, and keep pilots out of harm’s way.”
Last month, Joby acquired Ohio-based Resonant Sciences, a research and development firm that makes radio frequency and sensor systems, TechCrunch reported. The firm will become a part of Joby’s new defense division, which includes the company’s autonomy technology stack.
In August 2025, the company also signed an agreement with defense contractor L3Harris Technologies to explore opportunities for developing a gas-turbine hybrid vertical take-off and landing aircraft that can fly autonomously.
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