San José Mineta International Airport Celebrates National Aviation Week as the First California Airport to Host Joby Aviation’s Mobile Simulator

San José, Calif. – San José Mineta International Airport, the official Airport of Silicon Valley and community hub for innovation and technology, will celebrate another milestone when it becomes the first Airport in California to host a mobile flight simulator with Joby Aviation from Aug. 19-21 to celebrate National Aviation Week.

Joby Aviation is developing all-electric aircraft designed to take off and land vertically, carrying passengers quickly, quietly and with zero operating emissions. It's part of a growing industry known as Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), which is reimagining how people move through cities and regions by taking to the skies for short trips that would otherwise mean sitting in traffic.

For three days only, Joby’s eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) air taxi mobile simulator will be stationed outside SJC Terminal B, available to community members by reservation only – whether or not they’re flying SJC. Aviation enthusiasts wishing to experience Joby’s full-motion flight simulator can sign up for a 30-minute session here.*

What it is: Participants will step into the cockpit of Joby's aircraft flight simulator and experience what the future of flight feels like; no pilot's license required.
When: Aug. 19-21, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily (last group starts at 3:30 p.m.)
Where: 1701 Airport Boulevard San José, CA 95110, near the “XO” 12 foot public art piece at Terminal B. Participants with a confirmed reservation should park in Lot 5 (validation will not be provided; parking is at the visitor's expense).

With the Bay Area home to several eVTOL pioneers, SJC continues to advance efforts to integrate this emerging technology into its future airport development plans. As part of these efforts, SJC's Planning team is currently hard at work conducting a campus-wide AAM and vertiport feasibility analysis. 

In addition to the flight simulator, SJC’s annual National Aviation Week sticker search is back by popular demand – and bigger than ever – inside Terminals A, B and the Rental Car Center. Due to SJC’s simple and efficient layout, participants can navigate the terminals with ease, exploring SJC’s shops and restaurants while collecting unique stickers. Each design features the Airport’s own Ernie + Friends characters combined with elements from participating concession locations.

Follow the clues at flysanjose.com/aviation, collect a sticker at each location and add it to your collection. It’s a fun way to explore SJC and pick up the perfect souvenir. There are 12 designs in all and 24,000 stickers up for grabs.

“San José has a long history of embracing innovation, and that spirit extends to our Airport. This activation with Joby Aviation is an opportunity to explore how emerging technology can help shape the future of aviation while showcasing the future of flight to the community,” said San José City Manager Jennifer Maguire. “National Aviation Week is a fitting time to highlight the partnerships and forward-thinking approach that keep San José at the forefront of what’s next.”

“San José is proud to be home to an Airport that reflects the innovative spirit of Silicon Valley,” said San José Mayor Matt Mahan. “Allowing the community the chance to experience emerging flight technologies at SJC is another example of how San José is leading the way in the future of aviation and community engagement.”

“National Aviation Week is the perfect opportunity to invite our community to see SJC in a new way – not just as a place to catch a flight, but as a place where people can come together, learn and experience the excitement and future of flight with Joby Aviation,” said Mookie Patel, director of aviation at San José Mineta International Airport. “We’re proud to open our doors to our neighbors and give them a firsthand look at the people, ideas and partnerships that help keep SJC moving forward. We’re also delighted to bring back our sticker search in the terminals – our passengers have spoken, and it’s even bigger this year.”

"This simulator offers a preview of what's to come: quiet, zero-operating-emission flights that turn a commute that takes an hour into a trip that takes minutes," said Eric Allison, Chief Product Officer at Joby Aviation. "SJC has been a great partner in bringing that experience to San José, and we're glad to be part of National Aviation Week."

Stay tuned to SJC’s social channels for more National Aviation Week fun.

*Additional details:

• Participants with a confirmed reservation should park in Lot 5 (validation will not be provided; parking is at the visitor's expense).  
• No cost to participants for the simulator experience.
• Minimum age: 12
• One person can fly the simulator at any given time.