The American Helicopter Museum and Education Center (AHMEC) has announced JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation Inc., as the recipient of its 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 this year on Saturday, Oct. 8, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. 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 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

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 enterprise's pre-production prototype had flown 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 eVTOL aircraft. Bob Beggs, AHMEC co-founder and award chairman, noted that Joby's goal is to create an electric ridesharing operation.

For more information, contact AHMEC at 610-436-9600 or visit http://www.americanhelicopter.museum.