JCAB Grants G-1 Certification Basis for SkyDrive eVTOL Aircraft
SkyDrive Inc. (“SkyDrive”), a leading Japanese eVTOL aircraft manufacturer, has announced that the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (“JCAB”) has issued a G-1 certification basis for its eVTOL aircraft. This milestone marks a crucial step in SkyDrive’s journey toward obtaining full aircraft certification and launching commercial operations. The agreement with JCAB establishes specific airworthiness and performance criteria necessary for the type certification of the ‘SKYDRIVE’, the company’s three-seater lightweight eVTOL.
SkyDrive Inc. (“SkyDrive”), a pioneering Japanese eVTOL aircraft manufacturer, has taken a significant step forward in its mission to revolutionize urban air mobility. The company has released its first official images of the ‘SKYDRIVE’, a three-seater lightweight eVTOL, as it undergoes extensive flight testing. This development comes as SkyDrive prepares for the aircraft’s highly anticipated public debut at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, where it will conduct live demonstration flights.
This milestone builds upon a previous agreement from March 2022 between SkyDrive and the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (“JCAB”). The agreement established a certification framework based on JCAB’s Airworthiness Inspection Manual (AIM) Part II (Revision 61). This regulatory framework provides aircraft manufacturers with greater flexibility in demonstrating safety compliance, catering specifically to the innovative designs of eVTOL technology. The latest certification milestone clarifies the airworthiness and performance criteria required for SkyDrive’s type certification, paving the way for its commercial deployment.
The process of obtaining aircraft certification is highly intricate, particularly for new and rapidly evolving technologies like eVTOLs. With regulatory frameworks still being refined, collaboration between manufacturers and aviation authorities is crucial to ensuring the safety and viability of eVTOLs for public use. SkyDrive’s latest agreement with JCAB provides much-needed clarity on certification requirements and reinforces its commitment to meeting stringent aviation safety standards.
As SkyDrive advances its certification roadmap, discussions with JCAB are ongoing to finalize the necessary testing schedule and procedures. Once these parameters are set, SkyDrive will conduct further ground and flight tests to validate the aircraft’s performance and safety features. This critical phase will allow the company to meet the regulatory expectations required for type certification and eventual commercial operation.
In addition to working with JCAB, SkyDrive is actively engaged with the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) in the United States to validate its eVTOL certification. The company’s efforts to align with both Japanese and U.S. aviation authorities reflect a strategic approach to achieving international regulatory recognition. By harmonizing certification standards across multiple regions, SkyDrive aims to streamline the global adoption of its eVTOL technology and facilitate cross-border commercial operations in the future.
The significance of this progress extends beyond regulatory approval. SkyDrive’s participation in the World Expo 2025 represents a major opportunity to showcase its cutting-edge aircraft to a global audience. The demonstration flights in Osaka will highlight the capabilities of the ‘SKYDRIVE’, offering the public and potential commercial partners a firsthand look at the future of urban air mobility. The event is expected to generate interest from various stakeholders, including city planners, transportation authorities, and investors looking to support the development of next-generation mobility solutions.
Arnaud Coville, SkyDrive’s Chief Development Officer, expressed enthusiasm about reaching this pivotal stage in the company’s journey. “We are pleased to announce that the JCAB has issued the G-1 certification basis that will apply to our first commercial eVTOL aircraft. We have reached this significant milestone through a series of respectful and collaborative discussions with the JCAB. The issuance of this certification basis represents the culmination of substantial efforts invested over several months. We are also thrilled with the recent progress achieved in our validation project with the FAA. Our prototype aircraft, which is currently undergoing an extensive series of flight tests, continues to accumulate valuable data as we make steady progress toward the upcoming demonstration flights at the Osaka Expo. As we pursue our certification roadmap and showcase the capabilities of our aircraft to the public, 2025 is set to become an important year for SkyDrive. We are delighted that the year is off to such a great start.”
Arnaud Coville, SkyDrive’s Chief Development Officer, expressed excitement about this milestone, emphasizing the collaborative efforts with JCAB and the progress in FAA validation. He highlighted the importance of 2025 for SkyDrive as the company advances its certification roadmap and prepares for its high-profile showcase at the Osaka Expo.
About SkyDrive Inc.
SkyDrive is an eVTOL company pioneering the next generation of urban air mobility. Founded in 2018, the company has been developing eVTOL technology since 2014. SkyDrive made history in 2019 as the first company to conduct a crewed eVTOL flight in Japan. Currently working with civil aviation authorities in Japan and the U.S., SkyDrive aims to commercialize its latest eVTOL, the ‘SKYDRIVE’, which will debut at Expo 2025 in Osaka. Production began in March 2024 at a Suzuki Motor Corporation facility, SkyDrive’s official manufacturing partner. Headquartered in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, the company is led by CEO Tomohiro Fukuzawa.