Japan’s SkyDrive Chases eVTOL Aircraft Certification Milestone | Aviation International News

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SkyDrive Chases eVTOL Aircraft Certification Milestone

The Japanese start-up is developing the three-seat SD-05 multicopter

SkyDrive SD-05 — SkyDrive has been working with partners in several Japanese cities to prepare for its SD05 eVTOL aircraft to start commercial flights in 2028.

By Charles Alcock • Managing Editor

February 3, 2026

SkyDrive says it is getting close to agreeing on the means of compliance for type certification of its three-seat SD-05 eVTOL aircraft. The Japanese start-up is working with officials from the country’s civil aviation regulator and is also pursuing validation from the FAA as it targets service entry in 2028.

Hundreds of hours of flight testing its SD-05 prototype during 2025 resulted in some minor changes to rotors and flight control laws to improve stability. SkyDrive CEO Tomohiro Fukuzawa told AIN his team hopes not to have to make further design changes before the final terms for certification are agreed, saying that flights conducted so far have shown close alignment in performance between the real aircraft and earlier simulations.

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The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

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