SkyDrive has received a G-1 certification basis from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) for its SD-05 eVTOL. The certification basis defines the criteria that the aircraft must meet to gain type certification, allowing it to enter commercial service.

The agreement follows discussions between JCAB and SkyDrive on airworthiness and performance criteria that will be required for the SD-05, which is currently undergoing flight tests ahead of its scheduled demonstration at Expo 2025 in Osaka.

The latest agreement builds on a prior one from March 2022, which aligned SkyDrive’s certification approach with JCAB’s Airworthiness Inspection Manual (AIM) Part II, the equivalent of the USA's FAA Part 23 regulations. This framework allows aircraft manufacturers a greater degree of flexibility in proving compliance based on the aircraft’s specific characteristics.

“The issuance of this certification basis represents the culmination of substantial efforts invested over several months,” says Arnaud Coville, SkyDrive’s chief development officer. “We are also thrilled with the recent progress achieved in our validation project with the FAA.”

Following the latest agreement, the company remains in dialogue with JCAB to finalise its certification plan, with the aim of establishing a required testing schedule and procedures. SkyDrive is also engaging with the FAA to align its certification efforts in Japan and the US, aiming to streamline its standardised global operations.