SkyDrive Inc., a leading compact eVTOL aircraft developer based in Japan, announced the successful completion of a demonstration flight of its “SKYDRIVE” eVTOL aircraft, the SkyDrive Model SD-05. The flight, held at the test site inside Yamaguchi Kirara Expo Memorial Park in western Japan, was designed to simulate a scenic touring flight over the Seto Inland Sea.
The flight was witnessed by Mr. Tsugumasa Muraoka, Governor of Yamaguchi Prefecture; Mr. Toru Kawano, Vice Chairperson of the Yamaguchi Prefectural Assembly; and Mr. Toshihiro Suzuki, Representative Director and President of Suzuki Motor Corporation, SkyDrive’s official production partner. The demonstration provided further confirmation of the aircraft’s technical maturity and the potential use of eVTOL aircraft for scenic tourist flights.
Demonstration Flight Details
The demonstration flight was conducted without passengers or crew and simulated the future operational flows SkyDrive plans to use for tourist flights once its aircraft enters service. Alongside the actual flight of the remotely piloted aircraft, the simulation included a demonstration of a seamless passenger journey, conveying passengers arriving by car at the vertiport directly to their eVTOL flight.
For the first flight, conducted at around 8:00 AM on Monday, July 13, 2026, the aircraft operated using autonomous control and remote piloting without a pilot on board. The aircraft covered a flight distance of 2 km, approximately 1.24 miles, during a flight lasting 6 minutes and 20 seconds. It reached a maximum speed of 86 km/h, approximately 53.4 mph, and a maximum altitude of 30 metres, approximately 98.4 feet.
The second flight took place at around 11:05 AM on Monday, July 13, 2026. The aircraft again operated using autonomous control and remote piloting without a pilot on board. It covered 1,900 metres, approximately 1.18 miles, during a flight lasting 5 minutes and 42 seconds. The aircraft reached a maximum speed of 54 km/h, approximately 34 mph, and a maximum altitude of 25 metres, approximately 82 feet.
Background and Objectives
SkyDrive is developing a compact eVTOL with the mission of “leading the once-in-a-century mobility revolution,” with the goal of establishing eVTOLs as a feasible option for intra-urban transportation and a regular feature of city life.
To date, SkyDrive has flown its prototype aircraft more than 300 times in various environments, including flight test sites in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, and Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The aircraft has also conducted flights at the Expo 2025 Osaka venue, Osaka Port, and, most recently, at Tokyo Big Sight in February 2026.
