Joby Aviation COO Bonny Simi Joins NPR's Short Wave Podcast to Answer Common eVTOL Questions
Joby Aviation President of Operations Bonny Simi appeared on NPR's Short Wave science podcast to address frequently asked questions about electric air taxis. The episode covered the physics of winged flight, propulsion system redundancy for safety, and how Joby is designing a seamless ride experience for everyday consumers.

Highlights
- Joby Aviation President of Operations Bonny Simi appeared on NPR's Short Wave podcast to address public questions about eVTOL air taxi technology.
- Simi explained that Joby's aircraft combines fixed-wing lift with VTOL capability, offering efficiency advantages over traditional helicopter designs.
- Joby's eVTOL is equipped with multiple redundant propulsion systems so the aircraft can fly safely even if individual components fail.
- Joby's goal is to make the air taxi booking and boarding experience as simple as using a rideshare app for everyday consumers.
- Bonny Simi is a former Olympic athlete and experienced aviation executive leading Joby's commercialization of urban air mobility services.
Joby Aviation COO Bonny Simi Joins NPR's Short Wave Podcast to Answer Common eVTOL Questions
Joby Aviation President of Operations Bonny Simi recently appeared on NPR's popular science podcast Short Wave to answer some of the most common questions the public has about electric air taxis (eVTOL).
Episode Highlights
In the episode, Simi broke down several key topics in accessible terms:
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The physics of winged flight: Simi explained how electric air taxis generate lift using wings, comparing the approach to traditional helicopter rotor designs and highlighting the technical advantages of combining fixed-wing and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities.
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Propulsion system redundancy: Addressing safety concerns, Simi described how Joby's aircraft is equipped with multiple redundant propulsion systems, meaning the vehicle can continue flying safely even if individual components fail — significantly enhancing overall reliability.
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A seamless passenger experience: From the rider's perspective, Simi outlined how Joby is designing the air taxi booking and boarding process to be as straightforward as hailing a rideshare, with the goal of making the service accessible to everyday consumers.
About Bonny Simi
Bonny Simi serves as President of Operations at Joby Aviation. A former Olympic athlete and seasoned aviation industry executive, she brings deep expertise in airline operations and passenger experience, making her a central figure in Joby's push to commercialize urban air mobility services.
About NPR's Short Wave
Short Wave is a daily science podcast produced by NPR (National Public Radio) that covers the latest in science and technology in a clear, engaging format. The show has earned a broad following among science enthusiasts and general audiences alike.
Listeners can tune in to the full episode here: https://t.co/VvaPfKqXz2
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