JCAB Agrees on SkyDrive General Certification Plan

SkyDrive and the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) have concluded an agreement for the SD-05 eVTOL aircraft’s general certification plan. The agreement “describes the overall plan of activities required to demonstrate the aircraft’s compliance with legal requirements, including the processes and cooperative steps that will be required between JCAB and SkyDrive to achieve type certification,” according to the company. Plans call for entry into service in 2028, and SkyDrive is also working with the FAA on certification.

JCAB is reviewing SkyDrive’s other certification plans for structure, systems, electric motors, and noise as part of the six-step type certification process. So far, the certification basis has been issued, and 95% of the means of compliance are complete. That covers “the detailed design standards that indicate how SkyDrive will show compliance with the requirements established under the certification basis,” SkyDrive explained.

The SD-05 is equipped with 12 battery-powered rotors. With a maximum takeoff weight of 3,100 pounds, the eVTOL will carry three passengers and one pilot on flights of 12 to 25 miles.

“Air mobility is getting global attention with eVTOL aircraft at the core,” said SkyDrive CEO Tomohiro Fukuzawa. The advantage of the SD-05 over some other eVTOLs with wing-based lift is that the SkyDrive aircraft can take off and land in much smaller spaces, he explained. The overall width is 37.7 feet, which is smaller than the wingspan of typically wing-equipped eVTOLs. Of the 70 rooftop heliports in Tokyo, more than 90% are large enough to accommodate the SD-05. “The SkyDrive vehicle is a much simpler configuration,” he said.

Operating costs for the SD-05 will initially be about the same as for a comparable-size helicopter, he said. By 2030, SkyDrive aims to lower those costs to about twice that of a ground-based taxi. “That is our estimation and target,” he said.

SkyDrive has 415 preorders for the SD-05 from buyers in eight countries. At Verticon yesterday, SkyDrive and Aeroauto signed a letter of intent for eight SD-05s. Four of the aircraft are scheduled for delivery in 2028 and another four in 2029. Aeroauto founder and CEO Sean Borman said his company plans to operate the eVTOLs in Florida and the Southeast U.S.

“Florida represents one of the most compelling launch markets for advanced air mobility anywhere in the world,” Borman said. “Our partnership with SkyDrive brings together a powerful combination of aircraft innovation, operational expertise, and infrastructure development.”

SkyDrive also signed an agreement with SAI Flight, which already has a partnership for operating SD-05s in South Carolina, to add Florida to its footprint.