SkyDrive Becomes Japan’s First eVTOL Developer to Earn “Approved Design Organization” (ADO) Certification

SkyDrive Inc. (“SkyDrive”), a leading eVTOL (*1) aircraft manufacturer based in Japan, is proud to announce that it has officially received Approved Design Organization (ADO) certification from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB), under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT).

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SkyDrive is the first dedicated eVTOL developer in Japan to achieve this prestigious certification. The ADO status serves as official public proof that SkyDrive possesses rigorous quality control and safety management systems regarding its capabilities for aircraft design and post-design inspection. This achievement marks a definitive step forward in the commercialization of eVTOLs and the establishment of a next-generation mobility ecosystem in Japan.

This certification is equivalent to the Design Organisation Approval (DOA) issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

About the Approved Organization System

The Approved Organization System is a framework in which the MLIT audits and certifies whether an organization’s capability to conduct its operations meets specific standards. Within this system, the ADO certification is granted to organizations that possess the systems necessary to properly execute aircraft design and post-design inspections. By obtaining this certification, organizations are authorized to conduct a portion of the inspections typically performed by the government, thereby streamlining the development process.

As of April 2026, SkyDrive joins an elite group of only six companies in Japan—including major long-standing aerospace manufacturers—to hold this certification, underscoring the company’s exceptional engineering standards.

[Reference]

MLIT: “Certification Systems for Aircraft and Components”

https://www.mlit.go.jp/koku/15_bf_000070.html

MLIT: “List of Certified Organizations”

https://www.asims.mlit.go.jp/

Strategic Significance: Accelerating Toward 2028

SkyDrive is currently pursuing a Type Certificate (TC), which validates the safety of its aircraft, with the goal of practical implementation from 2028 onwards (*2). Earning the ADO certification confirms that SkyDrive meets the certification standards for an Approved Organization. This establishes our design system and further solidifies the roadmap toward launching services in 2028.

By leveraging this officially recognized framework, SkyDrive will streamline the path to Type Certification and accelerate our timeline toward commercialization. We remain dedicated to advancing safe eVTOL technology through close public-private collaboration, striving to build a future where seamless air mobility is part of everyday life for everyone.

Certification Details

• Certificate Number: No. 313

• Certified Capabilities: Aircraft Design and Inspection

• Certified Organization: SkyDrive Inc.

• Certification Date: April 15, 2026

Executive Comments

Arnaud Coville, Chief Technology Officer, SkyDrive Inc.

“Earning ADO certification is a testament to the relentless dedication of our entire team. From our engineers to our quality management specialists, we have built a world-class safety culture from the ground up. This is a watershed moment for the social implementation of eVTOLs in Japan. We will continue to collaborate with regulatory authorities and our partners to accelerate the realization of a safe, trusted, and accessible air mobility revolution.”

Harald Nagler, Head of Airworthiness and Type Certification, SkyDrive Inc.

“The ADO certification grants us the authority to verify and guarantee the integrity of our designs internally, which is a game-changer for the efficiency of our Type Certification process. This allows us to move with greater speed in design iterations and compliance testing. We are now more confident than ever in our ability to meet our 2028 commercialization goals.”

About SkyDrive Inc.

SkyDrive is a Japanese eVTOL company aiming “to take the lead in the once-in-a-century mobility revolution”. The company began testing eVTOL prototypes in 2014 prior to official incorporation in 2018. Under its future vision for urban transportation, flying in eVTOLs will become a regular part of city life. In 2019, SkyDrive became the first company to fly a crewed eVTOL in Japan. In 2025, the company successfully showcased the eVTOL “SKYDRIVE”, the company’s first eVTOL product, with demonstration flights at the Osaka Expo witnessed by thousands of visitors over a one-month period. SkyDrive began production of “SKYDRIVE” in March 2024 at a plant owned by Suzuki Motor Corporation, SkyDrive’s official production partner. SkyDrive has been working with civil aviation authorities in Japan and the US to obtain certification for “SKYDRIVE”, with the aim of launching the aircraft into service in 2028. SkyDrive is headquartered in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, and led by CEO Tomohiro Fukuzawa, an engineer and entrepreneur.

For more information, please visit: https://skydrive.co.jp/en/

Editor’s Note:

(*1) “eVTOL” is an abbreviation for electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing. As the name suggests, eVTOL aircraft can take off and land without a runway. eVTOLs are powered by electricity and incorporate advanced, automatic, flight control technology.

(*2) Related Press Release: For more information on SkyDrive’s Type Certification activities, please visit: https://skydrive.co.jp/en/archives/17834

 

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