Japanese “flying car” developer SkyDrive has started building the first prototype of its three-seat SD-05 eVTOL aircraft. On March 7, the company announced it has started assembling the first parts in a joint operation with automotive manufacturer Suzuki Motor Corporation, through a subsidiary called Sky Works. Suzuki is providing space at its factory in Iwata City in Japan’s Shizuoka prefecture and according to SkyDrive, the site will have the capacity to assemble up to 100 aircraft per year.
“This facility allows us to produce high-quality eVTOLs efficiently and effectively, ensuring we meet the needs of our customers,” said Sky Works president Nobuo Kishi.
SkyDrive aims to achieve provisional airworthiness approval for the SD-05 aircraft in time for the 2025 Osaka World Expo, where it plans to conduct public flight demonstrations. The company is not disclosing initial production rates or the number of prototypes it aims to manufacture before certification. A SkyDrive spokesperson told AIN that “our initial focus is to build an aircraft for Expo in order to acquire an appropriate authorization/permit to fly.”
“This facility allows us to produce high-quality eVTOLs efficiently and effectively, ensuring we meet the needs of our customers,” said Sky Works president Nobuo Kishi.
SkyDrive aims to achieve provisional airworthiness approval for the SD-05 aircraft in time for the 2025 Osaka World Expo, where it plans to conduct public flight demonstrations. The company is not disclosing initial production rates or the number of prototypes it aims to manufacture before certification. A SkyDrive spokesperson told AIN that “our initial focus is to build an aircraft for Expo in order to acquire an appropriate authorization/permit to fly.”
