Japan Regulator Agrees on SkyDrive eVTOL General Certification Plan | Aviation International News

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JCAB Agrees on SkyDrive General Certification Plan

Company aims to begin deliveries in 2028

SkyDrive Tokyo demo flight — SkyDrive’s SD-05 eVTOL prototype conducted a series of flight demonstrations over Tokyo in February 2026.

By Matt Thurber • Editor-in-Chief

March 9, 2026

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.

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