SkyDrive Secures Pre-Order for 100 eVTOL Aircraft
In the latest development, Japanese eVTOL aircraft pioneer SkyDrive has successfully pre-ordered 100 of its cutting-edge vehicles, marking a significant stride in the future of urban transportation. The news, confirmed on July 21, 2023, is a result of the company’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with CT UAV, a prominent subsidiary of Vietnam’s CT Group, renowned for its expertise in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technologies.
The collaboration with CT UAV comes hot on the heels of another milestone for SkyDrive. Just a day prior, the innovative company announced its successful sale of five eVTOL aircraft to Austin Aviation, a charter operator and subsidiary of Lowcountry Aviation Company based in the United States.
Vietnam’s enthusiastic embrace of eVTOL technology is evident in a previous pre-order of 100 aircraft from SkyDrive by Pacific Group in November 2022. With traffic congestion plaguing the cities of Vietnam, the adoption of eVTOL aircraft is perceived as a transformative solution for efficient and seamless travel within crowded urban landscapes.
The partnership between SkyDrive and CT UAV holds promise, as the companies jointly explore the potential of commercial eVTOL operations. Among the key considerations are vertiports, routes and network planning, infrastructure requirements, and ecosystem development in collaboration with stakeholders expressing interest in this revolutionary mode of transportation.
SkyDrive’s journey began in July 2018, following years of experimentation and testing of flying car concepts and prototypes since 2014. Their flagship eVTOL aircraft, the SkyDrive SD-05, boasts a three-seater configuration with space for one pilot and two passengers, offering a range of approximately 15 km.
Excitement is building for the official debut of SkyDrive’s commercial eVTOL aircraft, scheduled for the Expo 2024 in Osaka, Japan, with operations slated to begin in 2025. As urban mobility takes a giant leap forward, SkyDrive is poised to lead the charge in revolutionizing the way we traverse cities worldwide.