The American Helicopter Museum and Education Center (AHMEC) is pleased to announce JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, Inc., as the recipient of its prestigious annual Achievement Award. The award, presented to a person or organization that has made a significant impact to furthering vertical flight during the past year, is presented during the museum’s Gala fundraiser, which will be held Saturday, Oct. 8, from 6:00 until 9:30 p.m.

Bevirt established Joby Aviation, Inc., a California-based company developing all-electric aircraft for commercial passenger service, in 2009 while exploring electric motors, flight software, and lithium-ion batteries. Since 2012 Joby has collaborated with NASA’s electric flight projects, including the X-57 and LEAPTech. Working with various designs and models throughout the years, the company chose its current configuration and began a rigorous flight testing program. By 2020, the innovative enterprise’s pre-production prototype flew more than 5,300 miles, including a flight of 154.6 miles on a single charge. Joby has teamed with Toyota and Uber, achieved U.S. Air Force approval, and completed its first FAA production conformity inspection toward becoming the first company to receive type certification from the FAA for an eVTOL aircraft.

“Joby has methodically addressed significant challenges facing the electric Vertical Take Off and Landing (eVTOL) industry,” said Bob Beggs, AHMEC Co-Founder and Award Chairman. “Under JoeBen’s leadership, Joby has developed and pursued certification of state-of-the-art eVTOL aircraft, established strategic partnerships with industry and government agencies, and acquired financial investment to scale manufacturing and realize their vision of a commercially-viable electric ridesharing operation in the near future. They are a preeminent leader in the eVolution of vertical flight.”

The Achievement Award will be bestowed during AHMEC’s October Gala. Brian Garrett-Glaser, Joby’s Senior Communications Strategist, will accept the award on behalf of Bevirt and the company. He will also deliver the Gala’s keynote address about the revolutionary potential of eVTOL aircraft.

This press release was prepared and distributed by the American Helicopter Museum and Education Center.