Japan-based eVTOL aircraft developer Skydrive has submitted a FAA Type Certificate application for its three-seat aircraft.
The application, which was made through Japan’s Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) at the end of April is the beginning of the certification process in the USA. Type Certification by JCAB is predicted in 2026.
Skydrive’s multi-rotor eVTOL aircraft has a range of 25 miles (40km) and a top speed of 62mph (100km/h). The company also makes a range of unmanned cargo drones called Skylift.
SkyDrive established a US subsidiary last year and is collaborating with local customers to develop practical use cases for the American market.
Tomohiro Fukuzawa, CEO of Skydrive said, “Our development team has been working on both aircraft development and type certification activities in parallel.
“This collaboration allows us to advance our certification processes in both Japan and the USA simultaneously. With the FAA’s experience in the certification process of several eVTOLs and the JCAB already advancing the certification of our aircraft, we aim to work together to create a future where our eVTOL can operate commercially around the world.”
