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The ADO from JCAB is the equivalent of the ODA (Organization Designation Authorization) from FAA in the US, and of the DOA (Organization Approval) issued by EASA in the European Union, and it certifies a company’s quality control and safety management systems for aircraft design.
In Japan, only six companies hold this certification, and some of them are established aerospace manufacturers. Now, SkyDrive will become the seventh company to hold this certification, and it’s the only eVTOL maker in this prestigious “club”.
There’s still a long way to go – SkyDrive is aiming for full commercialization of its air taxi by 2028. By then, it should reach the final stage of securing the Type Certification, the Holy Grail of eVTOL makers around the world. Among them, SkyDrive is one of the very few to benefit from a special advantage: backing from a major automotive group. Archer is backed by Stellantis, Joby by Toyota, and SkyDrive by Suzuki.
Suzuki is not only a strategic investor for SkyDrive, but also its official production partner. Two years ago, the Japanese eVTOL maker announced it would kick off aircraft production at a Suzuki-owned factory. Additionally, Suzuki used its leverage in the Indian market to broker significant purchase agreements between SkyDrive and Indian customers.
SkyDrive became known to the entire world with the launch of its first model, the SD-03, a few years ago, which quickly became the world’s smallest eVTOL. Since then, the SkyDrive continued to advance and scale up its technology, with the SD-05 being the version that will ultimately be commercialized starting in 2028.
In the meantime, the best-known Japanese eVTOL maker is quickly expanding its global presence by securing a wide database of customers from all over the world. One of its most recent agreements puts the SD-05 at the center of inter-island emergency medical transportation in Taiwan. Compact eVTOLs like the SkyDrive flagship are perfect for addressing the challenges of inter-island air mobility, without compromising speed and zero emissions.
The Japan-made eVTOL is even set to operate in the US. A collaboration with SAI Flight, a local private charter flight company, and Greenville Downtown Airport, is set to introduce the SD-05 in South Carolina as soon as it will be green lighted for commercialization.
