PARIS and TOYOTA, Japan, June 19, 2023 – SkyDrive Inc. (“SkyDrive”), an eVTOL aircraft (*1) manufacturer based in Japan, today announced new specifications and design of its commercial aircraft at the Paris Air Show 2023. The company also announced that it has named the SkyDrive eVTOL aircraft “SKYDRIVE,” the same as that of the company.
■About the Product Series Name
SkyDrive names its production eVTOL “SKYDRIVE.” SKYDRIVE reflects the company’s vision of creating a future where everyone uses the sky for everyday transportation.
■About the Change of the Aircraft Specifications
SkyDrive has been testing and verifying the design change from a seating capacity of two to three passengers for some time in order to meet the needs of operators and end-users.
The announcement follows the completion of the patent application for a unique rotor dome design, which is described below. The change will enable a more profitable operation and a more convenient and enjoyable experience.
■About the New Technology
Our proprietary rotor dome design enables the aircraft to accommodate three passengers while keeping the aircraft compact. The rotor configuration optimizes the power consumption of each motor to enhance power efficiency.
■Hereafter
With the design of the three-seater “SKYDRIVE” matured, SkyDrive have today announced that the company signed a basic agreement with Suzuki Motor Corporation to proceed to the next phase of manufacturing (*2). SkyDrive will proceed with preparations for the manufacturing phase together.
SkyDrive aims to obtain airworthiness certification in 2025 to fly the eVTOL “SKYDRIVE” at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, followed by type certification in 2026 to start mass production and delivery (*3).
SkyDrive also aims to obtain the type certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in order to start operations in the U.S. (*4).
Editor’s note:
*1 eVTOL is short for electric vertical takeoff and landing. eVTOL aircraft are characterized by electrification, a fully autonomous autopilot, and vertical takeoff and landing. It is also called Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) or Urban Air Mobility (UAM).
Source: MLIT (dated March 2023) https://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001598463.pdf
*2 Related Press Release:https://en.skydrive2020.com/archives/9453
*3 About airworthiness certification and type certification: Airworthiness certification certifies for each aircraft: that the design satisfies safety and environmental compatibility standards, that the manufacturing process is performed as designed, and that the individual aircraft satisfies the standards.
On the other hand, type certification certifies in advance the design and manufacturing process inspections common to all aircraft of the same type.
Source: MLIT (as of June 2023) https://www.mlit.go.jp/koku/15_bf_000094.html
SkyDrive plans to obtain airworthiness certification for the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan by undergoing design inspections, manufacturing process inspections, and aircraft inspections for the individual aircraft to be operated at the EXPO in accordance with the necessary standards.
*4 Related Press Releases: https://en.skydrive2020.com/archives/8635
About SkyDrive Inc.
SkyDrive was formally established in July 2018 after testing flying car concepts and prototypes from 2014 with the mission of “taking the lead in the once-in-a-century mobility revolution.” Its vision is to create a future where everyone has access to eVTOLs as their daily transportation in Japan and across the world. The company succeeded in the first crewed flight test in Japan in 2019 and its eVTOL “SKYDRIVE” is in the process of acquiring its Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) certification. SkyDrive has been selected as a company to participate in the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) project at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. SkyDrive is headquartered in Toyota, Aichi. Tomohiro Fukuzawa is the CEO of the company.
For more information, please visit: https://en.skydrive2020.com/
Contact:
Risa Oishi
Public Relations
SkyDrive Inc.
Email: info@skydrive.co.jp