Joby Energy Composites

The Joby Energy composites team takes engineer-designed and cut “plug” (the base of the airframe) and builds the airframe with layers of materials the engineering team has selected for a specific prototype.

The team determines and orders the composite materials needed, then prepares and cuts the materials (divinycell, fiberglass cloth, carbon fiber). The process involves preparing resin used to bind the composite materials and a lay-up process of wetting a cloth and skillful placement of materials into the appropriate mold. After the composite process is completed the component is cured to maximize strength.

Introducing Kelly Carter

Kelly Carter

Kelly Carter brings 27 years of industry experience to Joby Energy. He joined the company in the summer of 2009. As a licensed private pilot and four-time Giant Scale Air Racing AT-6 Pro Class world champion, Carter combines his knowledge of aviation with his expertise in building composite airframes to provide expertise and leadership to the composites team.

The company’s mantra of rapid design and iteration keeps the composites team incredibly busy.

“The demands of changing priorities every day is challenging,” Carter said. “The challenges to this work are mainly around dealing with the unique stresses of an unusual aircraft. That’s just part of working in R&D -- things change every day.”

Carter oversees the conversion of foam parts to flight-worthy composite prototypes. Since his arrival, the composites team has built multiple prototypes while managing repairs and alterations.

According to Carter, the team is currently working on a 30 kW prototype while continuing to build smaller prototypes for continued testing. Short-term plans are to begin building 100 and 300 kW systems.

Since arriving at Joby Energy, Carter has established a fully operational composites shop capable of producing prototypes with wing components of up to 18 ft.

Prior to joining the company, Carter worked for Near Space Corporation as lead fabricator and back-up pilot for composite UAV airframes. He also worked on airframes for Lockheed Martin, NASA Dryden and NASA Ames, Aerospace Corporation, Raven Industries and Advanced Ceramic Research (BAE Systems).

Carter, a native of San Jose, CA, has an AA degree from San Jose City College, completed Cessna Pilot training at Gunnell Aviation and received a Airframe and Powerplant Technician certificate from Northrup University Aviation Technical School.


Introducing Akria Tiltman

Akria Tiltman

When Carter joined the company, he recommended and successfully recruited long-time colleague Akria Tiltman, a composite technician with seven years of experience in mold making, composites and manufacturing.

Akria brings an amazing skill set to the organization. She keeps us well organized and on-track,” Carter said.

Tiltman, whose business background lends itself to dealing with multiple vendors and the demands of working under deadline pressure, prides herself in her ability to organize, troubleshoot and meet deadlines.

“The composites world is very systematic and here I can use both my business and composite-building experiences,” she said. “This demanding and fast-paced R&D environment means I can apply my expertise in vendor relations, materials sourcing and building airframes to help the Company succeed.”

Tiltman takes great pride and care in her work. “With each one, it’s like you created something,” she said. “The airframes end up being like my babies.”

Another aspect of Tiltman’s job is co-training and mentoring technicians. She said that the best way to transfer knowledge is by using a hands-on, collaborative approach.

”I find it incredibly inspiring to see how the technicians are presented with a job and how they are able to use their own brain to come up with a plan and present their ideas to Kelly and me, and together we figure out the best way to do get the job done.”

Prior to joining Joby Energy in fall 2009, Tiltman served as both office manager and composite builder at RnR Products. RnR is an aircraft and UAV design composites firm that built aircraft for NASA, Boeing and other top names in the aerospace industry.

Alex Nemeth, Ben Bancroft, Jessie Chebot round out the composites team roster.