SkyDrive Receives ADO Certification in Japan, Accelerating eVTOL Launch by 2028
20 April 2026
SkyDrive Inc. has achieved a key milestone in advanced aviation by becoming the first eVTOL developer in Japan to obtain Approved Design Organization (ADO) certification from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB), an agency of the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
This certification validates that the company has robust quality control and safety management systems in place for aircraft design and inspection, a fundamental requirement for progressing toward Type Certificate certification. Furthermore, it places SkyDrive among an exclusive group of only six companies in Japan that hold this accreditation, traditionally reserved for established aerospace manufacturers.
The ADO recognition is equivalent to international certifications such as the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s DOA and the Federal Aviation Administration’s ODA, reinforcing the Japanese manufacturer’s global credibility as it moves toward the commercialization of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.
From an operational standpoint, this certification allows SkyDrive to take on some of the inspections typically performed by authorities, significantly streamlining the development and certification processes. This advancement is key to its strategy for obtaining Type Certification and launching commercial eVTOL operations in 2028.
With this step, SkyDrive strengthens its roadmap toward advanced air mobility in Japan, fostering an ecosystem that seeks to integrate safe, sustainable, and efficient urban air transport solutions. The company will continue working closely with the public and private sectors to accelerate the adoption of this new form of mobility.
Source: SkyDrive
