Tokyo, Japan \u2014 SkyDrive Inc.\u00a0(\u201cSkyDrive\u201d), a leading Japanese-based\neVTOL aircraft manufacturer, is pleased to announce the successful\nexecution of a series of SKYDRIVE demonstration flights (SkyDrive SD-05)\nconducted over five days from Tuesday 24 February to Saturday 28\nFebruary 2026. The flights, organised in partnership with Mitsubishi\nEstate Co., Ltd.\u00a0and Kanematsu Corporation and taking place at Tokyo Big\nSight, a major event venue in Tokyo Bay, marked SkyDrive\u2019s first public\nflight in Tokyo. The flights were carried out as part of the \u201cBusiness\nModel Development Project for eVTOL (Flying Car) Services in Tokyo,\u201d a\nTokyo Metropolitan Government project announced in June 2025.<\/p>\n
The objective of the flight program is to evaluate the ground and\nintegrated flight operations required to support the future\ncommercialisation of urban eVTOL transport. In light of this, SkyDrive\nand its various project partners assessed the entire operational chain\nfrom pre-flight preparation to take-off, en-route flight, landing, and\nreturn of the aircraft to the hangar. With a joint focus on the aircraft\nand the passenger terminal facilities that will be needed in the future,\nthe project marks a new chapter as the first comprehensive feasibility\nstudy on eVTOL operations for the future conducted in Japan.<\/p>\n
Terminal infrastructure is being built so that the general public can\ntest and provide feedback on various pre-boarding procedures, including\ncheck-in and passenger security screening supported by facial\nrecognition technology. SkyDrive thanks the general public for helping\ncollect the data needed to ensure the smooth operation of future\npassenger flights. With their cooperation, commercially viable and\npractically feasible urban eVTOL travel can begin to take shape.<\/p>\n
Video: https:\/\/youtu.be\/lI0tTF3c9Ak<\/p>\n
Advancing the Case for Urban eVTOL<\/p>\n
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has developed a roadmap for the\nadoption of eVTOL infrastructure and services and is actively supporting\nthe industry\u2019s development, recognising the potential of eVTOL aircraft\nto improve residents\u2019 lives by alleviating traffic congestion and\nradically transforming the movement of people and goods. Smoother\ntransport and logistics networks will increase the city\u2019s appeal, making\nit a more attractive destination for visitors and a more comfortable\nplace to live for residents.<\/p>\n
Since 2022, Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd.\u00a0and Kanematsu Corporation\nhave validated various business models and conducted technical\nverifications to assess the viability of different passenger eVTOL\nservices. These studies, designed to pave the way for air taxi use in\nand around Tokyo, include potential routes between the Shin-Marunouchi\nBuilding rooftop in central Tokyo and destinations along Tokyo Bay.<\/p>\n
Flight along these routes by conventional helicopters would show\nsignificant time savings of up to more than two-thirds versus road\ntravel, while underscoring the importance of ensuring time savings in\npre- and post-trip procedures, including passenger boarding and access\nto and from the vertiport. In addition, this initial work confirms the\nunique scenic appeal of these routes, the high likely demand for\nsightseeing flights, and the importance of business districts and rail\nhubs as potential vertiport locations.<\/p>\n
Following these investigations and feasibility studies, SkyDrive\njoined the project in 2025, its fourth year. As described above,\nSkyDrive, together with the project partners, can use this series of\ndemonstration flights to assess aircraft and terminal operations. In\ncollaboration with Skyports, a UK-based leader in vertiport\ninfrastructure, we are seeking volunteers from the general public who\ncan attempt part of the passenger eVTOL journey, including the check-in\nand security screening supported by facial recognition technology, as\npart of our efforts to ensure terminal operational effectiveness.\nFeedback from these activities will give SkyDrive deeper insights into\nthe operational needs and practicality required to ensure successful\ncommercialisation.<\/p>\n
Demo Flights Details<\/p>\n
The demonstration flights took place from 24\u201328 February 2026,\noperating from a dedicated take-off and landing site in a temporary\noutdoor parking area near the East Wing of Tokyo Big Sight, an iconic\nTokyo landmark. The flights featured SKYDRIVE (SkyDrive Model SD-05),\nthe same model flown by SkyDrive at the Osaka Expo 2025 and at the\nnearby OsakaKo Vertiport. Because the flight path is near busy air\ncorridors approaching Haneda Airport, the demonstration flights also\nserve as a further opportunity to confirm SkyDrive\u2019s low acoustic\nfootprint.<\/p>\n
The aircraft\u2019s flight path began from within a restricted airspace\navailable inside Tokyo Big Sight before extending out to sea. SkyDrive\u2019s\nability to take off and land in relatively constrained space is a major\nadvantage in ensuring safe operations from rooftops and from vertiports\nof a modest size.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/skydrive-completes-first-demonstration-flight-in-tokyo-1772726850", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }