The JCAB’s decision, which represents an important milestone along SkyDrive’s path to aircraft certification and commercial operations, follows agreement between the JCAB and SkyDrive over the specific airworthiness and performance criteria that will be required for the type certification of the SKYDRIVE, SkyDrive’s lightweight, three-seater eVTOL aircraft.
Toyota, Aichi-based SkyDrive has also released the first pictures of SKYDRIVE, which is currently undergoing flight tests in preparation for its official public unveiling at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, where the eVTOL will undertake demonstration flights.
This latest development builds on an earlier agreement, reached in March 2022, to use the JCAB Airworthiness Inspection Manual (AIM) Part II (Revision 61) as the basis for the type certification of SkyDrive’s eVTOLs (*3). AIM Part II defines airworthiness criteria for fixed-wing aircraft that carry up to 19 passengers and have a take-off weight of 8,618kg (19,000lb) or less. Revision 61, the latest version of the AIM Part II, gives aircraft manufacturers a greater degree of flexibility in selecting the methods they will use to demonstrate the safety of their aircraft, allowing them to choose methods which best match the aircraft’s specific characteristics.
SkyDrive and the JCAB remain in dialogue over the future certification plan, with the aim of reaching agreement over the required testing schedule and procedures. Once the certification plan is finalised, SkyDrive will begin ground and flight testing of the aircraft. Alongside its work with the JCAB, SkyDrive is working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to validate a certification process for SkyDrive’s eVTOL in the United States. This strategic approach enables the company to align its certification efforts in both nations, paving a smoother path towards standardised global operations.
Responding to the new agreement with the JCAB, Arnaud Coville, SkyDrive’s chief development officer, said, “We are pleased to announce that the JCAB has issued the G-1 certification basis that will apply to our first commercial eVTOL aircraft. We have reached this significant milestone through a series of respectful and collaborative discussions with the JCAB. The issuance of this certification basis represents the culmination of substantial efforts invested over several months.
“We are also thrilled with the recent progress achieved in our validation project with the FAA. Our prototype aircraft, which is currently undergoing an extensive series of flight tests, continues to accumulate valuable data as we make steady progress toward the upcoming demonstration flights at the Osaka Expo. As we pursue our certification roadmap and showcase the capabilities of our aircraft to the public, 2025 is set to become an important year for SkyDrive. We are delighted that the year is off to such a great start.”
