Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama Observes SkyDrive’s eVTOL Flight Test

Exchanging Views on Commercialization at Yamaguchi Flight Test Field SkyDrive Inc. (“SkyDrive”), a leading compact eVTOL aircraft (*1) developer based in Japan, announced that Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama visited its flight test field in Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, on Oct 31. Under the Japanese government’s Growth Strategy approved by the Cabinet in July 2026, eVTOL aircraft are designated as a key technology within the 17 strategic fields (Aviation and Space) prioritized for national investment. During this visit, SkyDrive briefed Katayama on the aircraft, testing facilities and concrete road-map for deploying advanced air mobility. Following the flight, Katayama inspected the test aircraft as SkyDrive representatives explained its structural design and system redundancy. Additionally, representatives from manufacturing partner Suzuki Motor Corporation—Naomi Ishii, Representative Director and Executive Vice President, and Hidetoshi Kumashiro, Senior Managing Officer and Executive General Manager of Battery Development—explained future manufacturing plans and overseas business expansion. Following the tour, Finance Minister Katayama commented on the aircraft’s quietness and maneuverability, stating, “It is very quiet” and “It changes direction quickly.”   Flight Results:

• Operation: Uncrewed operation via automatic control and remote piloting

• Flight distance: 2.2 km

• Flight time: Approx. 6 minutes

• Maximum flight speed: 78 km/h

• Maximum flight altitude: 30 m

  Having the Minister observe the actual demonstration flight at the Yamaguchi Flight Test Field and directly explaining our safety and future business deployment was a great encouragement for our commercialization efforts. SkyDrive will continue to collaborate closely with the government to advance the social implementation of safe and convenient eVTOL aircraft. Editor’s Notes: (*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. Contact: Kaori Saito Public Relations SkyDrive Inc. Email: info@skydrive.co.jp https://skydrive.co.jp/en/contact