Joby vs. Archer: Espionage Allegations Ignite

Good afternoon!  Sorry for the delay with sending out this week's newsletter, but I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving!

🛩️
-Rob Roy

In today’s email:

• Trade Secrets Turbulence Rocks eVTOL Rivals

• Around the Skies: Dubai becomes Joby’s first air taxi launchpad, FAA boosts Duluth tower upgrade, Marines put Regent’s Seaglider to the test, Lawmakers unite to protect critical aviation jobs, Alarming jump in U.S. military crashes, Sheltair mourns its legendary founder, Textron retires legendary Baron and Bonanza

• PilotTube: This Abandoned Mountain Airport Is Now for Sale

THE BUSINESS OF AVIATION

Joby Charges Archer With Data Theft

Joby Aviation has launched a high-stakes lawsuit in California Superior Court accusing rival Archer Aviation of orchestrating what it calls “corporate espionage.” According to the complaint, former Joby policy executive George Kivork allegedly downloaded confidential documents and emailed additional material to a personal account just before resigning in July. Joby claims the stolen files included trade secrets tied to its aircraft, regulatory strategy and an exclusive development partnership involving vertiport infrastructure.

The lawsuit alleges that within weeks of Kivork’s departure, the developer tied to that partnership was approached by Archer with a proposal that mirrored confidential details only Joby and its partner would have known. Joby says the pitch helped Archer shape a “more lucrative deal,” which prompted the developer to terminate its agreement with Joby over a breach of confidentiality. The company argues this sequence was no coincidence but a calculated effort to undercut its position in the rapidly accelerating eVTOL market.

Archer has denied any wrongdoing, insisting it struck no deal with the developer and that Kivork brought no Joby information to the company. Archer’s leadership called the lawsuit a bad-faith attempt to gain through litigation what Joby “cannot accomplish through fair competition,” adding that its internal forensics cleared Kivork before he was hired. A hearing is set for March 20, 2026, positioning the case as a major showdown between two of the most aggressive players in the emerging air taxi industry.

The legal battle erupts at a pivotal moment for both companies as they race toward FAA certification and global deployment of their air taxi networks. Joby has begun final testing of its first FAA-conforming aircraft while Archer is expanding through acquisitions, international partnerships and the purchase of a Los Angeles-area airport to anchor its regional network. With both firms preparing to join the FAA’s new integration pilot program, the lawsuit adds an unexpected jolt to an industry already defined by speed, ambition and high-stakes competition.

Don’t Keep Flybuyer a Secret!

Help me grow the newsletter by sending this link to your pilot friends!

AROUND THE SKIES

🛩️ The FAA has added $20 million to help replace Duluth International Airport’s 1950s-era control tower, bringing the total project cost to $66 million. The new tower will stand twice as tall as the current one and give controllers modern equipment along with a clearer view of one of Minnesota’s busiest airfields. With the added funding Duluth can complete construction in a single phase and save more than $5 million. It’s a long overdue upgrade that strengthens safety and keeps pace with rising commercial, military and training traffic.

🛩️ The U.S. Marine Corps completed rescue trials with Regent Craft’s electric Viceroy seaglider, proving it can recover survivors from docks, beaches and open water in challenging sea conditions. The prototype handled all three missions successfully as part of a $15 million Marine Corps contract. Regent is developing the Viceroy for commercial and military use with modes that range from hullborne to hydrofoil to ground-effect flight. A hybrid-electric version with greater range and a larger 100-passenger Monarch are also in development.

🛩️ Lawmakers on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee have introduced a bipartisan bill that would keep air traffic controllers and key FAA personnel paid during any future government shutdowns. The Aviation Funding Solvency Act also gives the FAA access to the Aviation Insurance Revolving Fund, a little-used reserve that has grown to more than $2.6 billion. Supporters say the move protects the National Airspace System from political gridlock and ensures controllers can keep the skies safe without worrying about missed paychecks. It’s a push to make sure America’s aviation system stays airborne even when Washington stalls.

🛩️ Pentagon data delivered to Congress shows a steep rise in serious military aviation accidents, with overall rates up 55 percent in four years and Marine Corps mishaps nearly tripling. Through the first ten months of 2024, 25 personnel were killed and 14 aircraft destroyed, with platforms like the Apache and C-130 seeing sharp increases in Class A incidents. The trend has continued into 2025 with several high-profile crashes on land and at sea. Lawmakers say the surge demands swift action as accident rates climb faster than expected.

Textron Aviation will end production of the Beechcraft Baron G58 and Bonanza G36 after fulfilling current orders, closing the book on two long-running piston legends. The company says the decision allows it to focus on the clean-sheet Beechcraft Denali, now in the final stages of certification with GE’s Catalyst turboprop. With more than 3,000 Barons and 18,000 Bonanzas delivered, the announcement comes as the Bonanza approaches its 80th anniversary. Textron expects Denali deliveries to begin in 2026.

PilotTube

Ten pilots reflect on what flying means to them, revealing a blend of mastery, passion and the quiet thrill found above the clouds. Their stories highlight why the sky continues to inspire those who seek both challenge and possibility. There is a deep sense of gratitude for the freedom to fly and for the aviation community that brings people together. It’s a moment to celebrate shared adventures and the horizons still waiting to be discovered.

Selling an Aircraft?
Flybuyer is a full-service aircraft brokerage with nationwide reach and video marketing. If you’re thinking about selling, let’s talk: [email protected]

Have an Aircraft I Can Film?
I’m on the lookout for airplanes to review for the Flybuyer YouTube channel. If you own, fly or have access to a piston, turbine, business jet, helicopter, seaplane, bush plane, warbird or blimp I can film, please fill out this form!

Follow @flybuyeraircraftsales on Instagram!