SkyDrive Inc. (“SkyDrive”), a leading eVTOL aircraft manufacturer based in Japan, recently announced 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).
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.
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. 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.”
For similar news on SkyDrive, please read:
1) SkyDrive Collaborates with Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre
2) Leading Japanese eVTOL manufacturer SkyDrive Expands Strategic Network in Southeastern USA
