Technical Specifications:
| manufactured in | Japan |
| model year | 2025 |
| flight altitude (m) | 5 |
| flying time (min) | 10 |
| flying range (km) | 15 |
| max. speed (km/h) | 100 |
| weight (kg) | 1400 |
| passengers (qty) | 3 |
| cargo capacity (kg) | 350 |
* Minimum price set by the manufacturer, excluding taxes and additional options
Exterior and Interior photos of SkyDrive SD-05
SkyDrive SD-05: Compact eVTOL for Short-Hop Urban Mobility
The SkyDrive SD-05 lands squarely in the quick-hop category, purpose-built for dense cities and tight rooftops. Sales kick off in 2025, with manufacturing anchored in Japan. Pricing starts near $1,500,000 (£1,123,000/€1,292,000) based on recent rates. Quiet electric lift, nimble size, and DEP redundancy set the tone. City planners, operators, and early adopters take notice.
- Unveiling cadence tied to Expo 2025 Osaka flight demos and partner trials
- Manufactured in Japan with carbon fiber structures and aluminum subframes
- Starting price about $1,500,000 (£1,123,000/€1,292,000) for fleet builds
- Positioned as an electric air taxi for short urban sectors
Specs and technical highlights:
Battery
Flight power comes from a lithium-ion flight battery feeding twelve counter-rotating props. Endurance targets quick rotations, with around 10 minutes airborne per cycle. Typical routing covers 15 km (9.3 mi) per charge. Ground logistics hinge on compact vertiport network stands and rapid turnarounds. Redundant packs support safe returns during contingencies.
- Flying time: 10 minutes
- Flying range: 15 km (9.3 mi)
- Energy storage: modular lithium-ion arrays
- Turnaround: rapid recharge swap protocols
Performance
Top speed reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) for brisk city corridors. Typical flight altitude runs near 5 m (16 ft) during hover tests and demo ops. Certified weight lists 1,400 kg (3,086 lb), with cargo capacity of 350 kg (771 lb). Three-seat layout covers one pilot plus two passengers. Computer-assisted flight trims pilot workload.
- Max speed: 100 km/h (62 mph)
- Flight altitude: 5 m (16 ft) demo profile
- Weight: 1,400 kg (3,086 lb)
- Passengers: 3 total
Variants align with air taxi and emergency runs; pricing scales by interiors and mission kits.
Color range and Design:
Exterior
The airframe presents a tidy footprint with a carbon fiber fuselage, smoothed fairings, and a protective rotor dome. Twelve props sit in guarded arrays for DEP redundancy. Horizontal and ventral fins stabilize forward segments. Rooftop pads and compact bays feel natural for the airframe.
Color Variants
Fleet-first paint schemes lean white or silver with operator branding. High-wear panels accept durable coatings for frequent cycles. Accent stripes aid pad guidance and visual ID. Premium liveries can mirror corporate palettes for city-to-hub transfer work.
Pros and Cons:
Pros
- Quiet electric flight suited for low-altitude operations
- Small footprint for tight vertiport network sites
- Distributed electric propulsion supports fail-operational behavior
- Rooftop landing capability streamlines short-hop routes
Cons
- Short 15 km (9.3 mi) leg length limits routing
- Three-seat layout caps throughput
- Turnaround strategy depends on pad infrastructure
- Certification milestones still in motion
Conclusion for SD-05
City traffic steals time, so the SkyDrive SD-05 trades lanes for air lanes. Fast hops, tiny pads, and whisper-quiet operations create real utility. Operators gain predictable cycles and simple routing. And passengers get minutes back, not just miles.
Manufacturer: SkyDrive
Watch the Video Overview
Comparison:
The compact three-seat format faces two-seat contenders and larger four-to-five seat craft. Here’s how the SkyDrive SD-05 stacks up against VoloCity, EHang 216, and the four-seat Joby S4 on missions that stay inside city envelopes.
Range
SkyDrive SD-05 posts 15 km (9.3 mi). VoloCity reaches about 35 km (22 mi), fit for airport shuttles. EHang 216 sits near 35 km (22 mi), tuned for quick tours. Joby S4 stretches roughly 241 km (150 mi), serving longer corridors.
Acceleration and Power
SkyDrive SD-05 favors smooth lift via DEP rather than aggressive climbs. VoloCity runs multirotor stability for gentle transitions. EHang 216 behaves similarly, prioritizing balanced lift. Joby S4 employs tilt systems for quicker ascent and cruise.
Charging Time
Short-hop cycles let the SkyDrive SD-05 reset quickly at pads with standardized power. VoloCity targets fast turnarounds at vertiports. EHang 216 requires slightly longer replenishment windows. Joby S4 aims for rapid DC sessions to sustain regional routes.
Price
SkyDrive SD-05 starts near $1,500,000 (£1,123,000/€1,292,000). VoloCity trends around $350,000 (£263,000/€301,000). EHang 216 often lists near $300,000 (£225,000/€258,000). Joby S4 targets a seven‑figure bracket depending on interiors and fleet terms.
