Air Taxi Company Hits Certification Milestone; Prototype IntroducedAir Taxi Company Hits Certification Milestone; Prototype Introduced

Japanese eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) vehicle maker SkyDrive has received a G-1 certification basis from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB), taking the air taxi company one step closer to commercial operation.

This is the second of six certification steps to final verifications, a process similar to certification in the U.S. by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

SkyDrive also showed the first pictures of its full-scale prototype eVTOL vehicle, which is undergoing flight tests.

SkyDrive and the JCAB are in discussions about the future certification plan, required testing schedule and procedures. 

“We are pleased to announce that the JCAB has issued the G-1 certification basis that will apply to our first commercial eVTOL aircraft,” said Arnaud Coville, chief development officer at SkyDrive. “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.”

Related:Air Taxi Operations Planned for Japan; Rides for Low Prices

SkyDrive recently signed a deal with Kyushu Railway and the government of Oita in Japan to plan air taxi services in the region.

The air taxis would fly within Beppu City and connect the Beppu and Yufuin resorts. Scenic flights over Beppu Bay also are planned.

SkyDrive said its intent is for the cost of traveling on the air to be low enough to compete with conventional taxis.

The electric aerial vehicle (EAV) maker and JR Kyushu plan to “survey potential takeoff and landing sites, evaluate profitability and establish a framework for future flight operations, laying the groundwork for the provision of commercially viable eVTOL services with a target service launch date sometime around 2028,” according to SkyDrive.

Kyushu Railway Company comprises railways with a network throughout the Kyushu region.