Episode Description
In this episode, host Jason Pritchard sits down with Tomohiro Fukuzawa, Founder and CEO of SkyDrive, to reflect on a landmark year for the Japanese eVTOL OEM and what's next in 2026.
Tomohiro shares how 2025 marked a breakthrough year for SkyDrive, with hundreds of successful flight tests, large-scale public demo flights and more than 400 pre-orders for its SD-05 aircraft.
A major highlight last year was showcasing the aircraft at the World Expo in Osaka, where more than one million visitors saw the aircraft up close, many for the first time.
The conversation dives into the technology behind SkyDrive’s compact, 12-rotor multicopter design, purpose-built for rooftop operations and short urban hops, as well as its progress toward simultaneous certification with Japan’s JCAB and the Federal Aviation Administration.
Tomohiro also discusses strategic partnerships, including manufacturing collaboration with Suzuki and operational partnerships across Japan, Southeast Asia, India, and the U.S. From alleviating traffic congestion in cities like Jakarta to transporting organs for urgent medical procedures, the episode explores compelling real-world use cases that highlight the aircraft’s potential impact.
Looking ahead, 2026 will focus on certification milestones, global market expansion, and further public demonstration flights to accelerate adoption.
Tomohiro shares how 2025 marked a breakthrough year for SkyDrive, with hundreds of successful flight tests, large-scale public demo flights and more than 400 pre-orders for its SD-05 aircraft.
A major highlight last year was showcasing the aircraft at the World Expo in Osaka, where more than one million visitors saw the aircraft up close, many for the first time.
The conversation dives into the technology behind SkyDrive’s compact, 12-rotor multicopter design, purpose-built for rooftop operations and short urban hops, as well as its progress toward simultaneous certification with Japan’s JCAB and the Federal Aviation Administration.
Tomohiro also discusses strategic partnerships, including manufacturing collaboration with Suzuki and operational partnerships across Japan, Southeast Asia, India, and the U.S. From alleviating traffic congestion in cities like Jakarta to transporting organs for urgent medical procedures, the episode explores compelling real-world use cases that highlight the aircraft’s potential impact.
Looking ahead, 2026 will focus on certification milestones, global market expansion, and further public demonstration flights to accelerate adoption.