Japan Approves Certification Plan for SkyDrive SD-05 eVTOL

The Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) has agreed on the general certification plan for SkyDrive’s SD-05 eVTOL aircraft. The agreement on March 9 confirms the processes through which the start-up aims to complete type certification for the three-seat model in time for the targeted launch of commercial operations in 2028.

Previously, SkyDrive has submitted certification plans to JCAB covering all aspects of the aircraft, including electric motors and airframe structures. Once the agency has completed its review of these plans and confirmed the overall means of compliance, the company will be able to start compliance testing.

After receiving a Japanese type certificate, SkyDrive will seek to have this validated by the FAA to gain access to the U.S. market, where it has some provisional customers. It is being supported by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism in this effort.

“Reaching agreement with JCAB on the general certification plan represents an extremely significant milestone for SkyDrive,” commented Arnaud Coville, the company’s chief technology officer. “The agreement, which shortens the projected timeline for compliance activities and reduces future risk, shows that we are on the right track for certification of our aircraft with the JCAB and FAA. Only a very limited number of players worldwide have reached this stage in the type certification process.”

Last month, Toyota-based SkyDrive conducted five days of public demonstration flights with an SD-05 prototype in the Tokyo Bay area. The flights during the Tokyo Big Sight event were organized in partnership with Mitsubishi Estate Co. and Kanematsu Corporation.

Carrying a pilot and two passengers, the 12-rotor multicopter is expected to have a range of just 22 nm and a cruise speed of 54 knots. In addition to air taxi services, SkyDrive believes the SD-05 will be used for missions including sightseeing and medical support.