<p>Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.</p>
<p>Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.</p>


Managing Editor

<p><span><span><span>Japan’s SkyDrive this week confirmed more details about its plan to start series production of its three-seat SD-05 eVTOL aircraft. The start-up announced it has established a subsidiary production company called Sky Works in partnership with Suzuki Motor Corporation, which is providing capacity at its factory in Iwata City to assemble the aircraft at an initial rate of 100 units per year.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span>The new company was established on September 1, with SkyDrive’s chief technology officer Nobuo Kishi appointed as its president. The move builds on the <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-06-22/skydrive-build-three-seat-evtol-aircraft-suzuki-factory">partnership announced</a> with Suzuki at the Paris Air Show in June.</span></span></span></p>
<p>According to SkyDrive, it will start producing&nbsp;the first SD-05 prototypes in the Spring of 2024 to get the aircraft ready for flight testing. Series production is expected to begin in 2026 when the company aims to complete type certification with&nbsp;<span><span><span>the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau. It plans&nbsp;</span></span></span><span><span><span>to fly the vehicle for demonstration purposes during the 2025 World Expo in Osaka.</span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span>Meanwhile, SkyDrive and Suzuki executives are also now working on possible use cases for the SD-05 aircraft in India. During recent discussions with prospective stakeholders in the country, they pressed the case for eVTOL vehicles to be used to reduce pollution from cars in crowded Indian cities and also for services such as sightseeing flights. The partners indicated they may have an interest in establishing research and development and manufacturing facilities in India.</span></span></span></p>
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            <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item">  <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/futureflight/import/3_Discussion%20with%20related%20stakeholders%20in%20India.PNG" width="1118" height="726" alt="SkyDrive executives brief Indian stakeholders on their plans for eVTOL aircraft." title="SkyDrive executives brief Indian stakeholders on how they see the SD-05 eVTOL aircraft being used in India. (Image: SkyDrive)">

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            <div class="field field--name-field-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">SkyDrive executives brief Indian stakeholders on how they see the SD-05 eVTOL aircraft being used in India. (Image: SkyDrive)</div>
      
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<figcaption>SkyDrive executives brief Indian stakeholders on how they see the SD-05 eVTOL aircraft being used in India. (Image: SkyDrive)</figcaption>
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<p><span><span><span>SkyDrive and Suzuki will jointly exhibit at the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo which opens on October 28. The display for the Tokyo Future Tour section of the show will feature a one-fifth scale model of the recently redesigned SD-05 and a full-scale mock-up of the earlier SD-03 technology demonstrator.</span></span></span></p>


Charles Alcock

Sky Works, the new eVTOL aircraft manufacturing joint venture between SkyDrive and Suzuki, will start production at a factory in Iwata City, Japan. (Image: SkyDrive)

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