Joby Aviation has completed a transcontinental flight using a Cessna Caravan aircraft operating entirely without human intervention. The flight covered a total distance of 5,148 km, including takeoff, landing, and taxiing maneuvers. A pilot remained in the cockpit for safety, but did not operate the controls at any point during the journey.
The mission served to test the autopilot system across diverse weather conditions and airport infrastructures. Ground teams located in California and South Carolina monitored the flight from distances of up to 3,738 km. The flight concluded in North Carolina, near the historic site of the Wright brothers' first powered flight.
Joby Aviation acquired Xwing's autopilot technology in 2024. The company has since conducted over 400 autonomous flights totaling approximately 800 hours. The technology has already demonstrated its utility for the U.S. military by delivering critical spare parts 24 hours faster than standard logistics channels.
The company aims to integrate its autonomous systems into existing U.S. aviation infrastructure for logistics, rescue operations, and military supply chains. The system has previously proven its capability for long-distance remote control, managing an aircraft from a distance of approximately 6,437 km.
