SkyDrive has announced the safe and successful completion of the first demonstration flight of the SKYDRIVE (SkyDrive Model SD-05) at the Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai, Japan.
“SkyDrive will continue to showcase the capabilities of the SKYDRIVE with a series of further demonstration flights through to August 24,” said the company in a press release. “Back in February 2023, SkyDrive was included in a select group of the advanced air mobility companies chosen to demonstrate their smart mobility technology at the Expo under the event’s theme of showcasing the technology that will shape the future of society. As a result of this opportunity, the successful demonstration of our aircraft at the Expo became one of SkyDrive’s key development milestones. Following extensive development activity and an accident-free flight test campaign that confirmed the aircraft’s safety,”
SkyDrive will fly at the EXPO Vertiport every Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday between Friday August 1 and Sunday August 24. No flights will be scheduled on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. For further information on the SkyDrive flight schedule, please click the link below:
https://en.skydrive2020.com/archives/16065
SkyDrive demonstration flights are based at the EXPO Vertiport, which is located in the Mobility Experience Area in the northwest corner of the Expo venue.
According to the company, SkyDrive is currently working to achieve the type certification required for the commercial operation of the SKYDRIVE aircraft, while also collaborating with various partners in Japan and overseas to accelerate the preparations required for those future operations. In Japan, SkyDrive is joining together with Osaka Metro Company. Ltd. and the Osaka City authorities with the aim of launching commercial eVTOL operations in Osaka’s Morinomiya area from as early as 2028. SkyDrive is also partnering with the JR Kyushu Railway Company to develop eVTOL services in Kyushu from around 2028. Planned services include tourist flights over Beppu Bay and air taxi routes linking destinations such as the spa town of Beppu and the resort of Yufuin .
For more information
https://en.skydrive2020.com/archives/16094
(Image: Crowds watch SkyDrive’s demonstration flight from the EXPO Vertiport at EXPO 2025. The flight reached a height of 4 meters and lasted for 3 minutes. The aircraft is uncrewed, operated by remote control, and stabilized using automatic control technology. SkyDrive)