How to Become an Air Taxi Pilot in the UAE? Insights from Joby Test Pilot Peter Wilson

As electric air taxis prepare to redefine urban transport, a select group of test pilots is shaping the future of aviation. Among them is Peter “Wizzer” Wilson, a seasoned aviator whose career spans Harrier jump jets, helicopters, and the F-35 fighter programme. He now serves as a test pilot for Joby Aviation, one of the world’s leading electric air taxi developers.

“What draws pilots to electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft? For Wilson, the appeal is multifaceted and distinctly different from traditional aviation careers. ‘I think it’s something that you dream about,’ Wilson told Gulf News at the Dubai Airshow. ‘A lot of people will dream about the possibilities of taking to the air but also being able to come home to their houses at night.’”

Air taxi operations offer a stark contrast to conventional airline roles. While airline pilots spend long hours on extended flights, Wilson explains: “When you fly a Joby air taxi, you take off, and no sooner have you taken off, it’s time to come in and land again. So, it’s up, and then hardly any cruise, and land. It’s a very, very exciting prospect for young pilots.”

Wilson’s move into electric aviation was intentional. As his F-35 programme tenure ended, he sought a cutting-edge challenge. “I wanted to find something else high tech, and I was very eager on being right at the cutting edge of technology,” he said. Friends guided him toward Joby Aviation, and he quickly transitioned into the eVTOL sector.

Despite the aircraft’s advanced technology, Wilson emphasizes its accessibility: “It’s easier than flying an F-35 because in an F-35 you’ve got to put on the very big helmet and the oxygen mask and your life jacket and your G trousers, and you’re strapped into an ejection seat. It’s a little bit easier when you just have to get into a slightly smaller commercial vehicle.” He adds, “Anybody can learn to fly this aircraft. Anybody.”

Joby Aviation employs a phased testing approach, combining approximately 200 hours of remote flights with around 20 hours of inhabited flights to minimize risks. “The remote flying is very useful because it de-risks us,” Wilson explains. “If the aircraft crashes, there’s nobody on board, whereas once we’re on board, the risk is very high.”

On his first inhabited flight, Wilson described the experience as “Excited, you know, humbled, surprised, gratified, pleased. Oh, it’s incredible. Yeah, to see it all come together.” Despite expectations of silent electric flight, the cabin does produce some noticeable sound: “It makes a good amount of sound on the inside, and it’s not loud, but it’s not silent,” he said.

For aspiring air taxi pilots, Wilson outlines the path clearly. A commercial pilot’s certificate is required, typically achieved after about 500 hours of flying single-engine aircraft. “The cheapest way, if you want the quickest way, is to go fly an aeroplane, single engine,” he said. Once certified, pilots can transition to Joby’s S4 eVTOL, requiring just 25 hours of training to achieve real proficiency. “Although, in reality, I could put you in the simulator right now, and within five minutes you could fly just fine,” Wilson added.

With cities like Dubai embracing eVTOL technology, pioneers like Wilson are not only shaping a new career path but also demonstrating how electric air taxis could transform urban mobility worldwide.