Greenville Initiates Flying Vehicle Development Partnership
Greenville, South Carolina, is at the forefront of innovative transportation solutions as three prominent organizations join forces to explore the potential of flying vehicles. The Japanese electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) manufacturer, SkyDrive, alongside SAI Flight, a major private jet charter company, and the Greenville Downtown Airport, the state’s most active general aviation hub, unveiled their plan to develop meaningful use cases for this futuristic mode of transport. The partnership aims to improve air-cargo, air-taxi, and emergency service applications, marking a significant step forward in advanced air mobility (AAM).
Collaboration Details
This collaborative venture, announced on November 21, 2024, is supported by the Greenville City Economic Development and Greenville Area Development corporations. The primary objective is to design practical routes originating from the Greenville Downtown Airport, including connections to the city center and the nearby Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport. Tomohiro Fukuzawa, the CEO of SkyDrive, emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating, “This partnership marks a significant milestone in our efforts to drive business growth in South Carolina. It presents a valuable opportunity to accelerate our expansion and bring advanced air mobility solutions to the region.”
Investment and Development
SAI Flight has already placed a pre-order for ten of SkyDrive’s electric aerial vehicles (EAV), demonstrating confidence in the project’s potential. SkyDrive’s recent strategic alliance with F&E Aircraft Maintenance (FEAM Aero) focuses on providing maintenance, support, and scalability for eVTOL services across the nation. With FEAM Aero servicing over 130,000 flights annually, their partnership is expected to enhance operational standards for the emerging flying vehicle industry.
SkyDrive’s bold step into automation includes using artificial intelligence (AI) to create advanced designs for its flying vehicles. The collaboration with Braid Technologies aims to leverage AI in generating thousands of design patterns, refining the structure of its products. The introduction of this technology signifies SkyDrive’s commitment to positioning itself at the cutting edge of the air mobility landscape.
Regulatory Process and Future Outlook
SkyDrive is also focused on securing necessary regulatory approvals from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate eVTOLs. The company recently submitted a type certification application through Japan’s Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB), with plans to obtain FAA certification by 2026 or beyond. These efforts underscore the importance of regulatory compliance as the framework for integrating eVTOL services into existing aviation infrastructures.
Expanding Horizons
The partnership extends beyond South Carolina, with a notable agreement to expand operations into Georgia through collaboration with Bravo Air. This initiative aims to establish an air taxi network connecting Augusta Regional Airport with neighboring regions. SkyDrive is also broadening its horizons internationally, having entered agreements to scale operations in Japan and Korea, enhancing its global footprint in the aerial vehicle market.
Production and Infrastructure Development
Production of the SkyDrive SD-05, labeled as a flying car, is underway at a Suzuki manufacturing plant in Shizuoka, Japan. With the capability to produce up to 100 eVTOL units annually, the manufacturing process is designed to meet anticipated demand. Furthermore, the establishment of high-speed charging stations for these flying vehicles is being prioritized in partnership with the Kansai Electric Power Company, aiming to initialize the first station this year.
As Greenville takes bold steps toward integrating advanced air mobility into its transportation framework, the collaboration between these three entities marks a noteworthy advancement in redefining how we think about travel. By paving the way for air taxis and other flying solutions, this initiative seeks to make significant contributions to urban mobility, all while enhancing safety and efficiency in transportation.
