SkyDrive SD-05 eVTOL to Launch in Australia by 2028

SkyDrive Inc. and Australian operator Gold Coast Helitours have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for the purchase of up to five SkyDrive SD-05 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, targeting the launch of Australia’s first eVTOL sightseeing service by 2028.

Announced in a press release on August 18, 2026, the agreement marks SkyDrive’s first LOI with an Australian operator. The Partnerships aims to establish a foundation for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) in the Queensland region, with initial deliveries of two aircraft scheduled for 2028 and the remaining three targeted for 2029.

Proposed operations and infrastructure

Gold Coast Helitours currently operates a conventional rotorcraft fleet that includes Airbus H125 and Robinson R44 Helicopters, providing sightseeing, aerial survey, and corporate transport services. The integration of the SD-05 will introduce a roughly 10-minute scenic loop flight over the Broadwater, Southport, and Surfers Paradise areas.

The proposed eVTOL operations will initially be based at the Marina Mirage heliport in Main Beach, Queensland. The two companies also plan to develop a dedicated vertiport and a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility at Southport Airfield. This infrastructure is intended to serve as a central hub for a broader future network connecting the Gold Coast city center, commercial districts, and Gold Coast Airport (OOL).

Scott Menzies, Chief Pilot and Director of Gold Coast Helitours, stated that adding the quiet and environmentally friendly aircraft to their fleet will offer an unprecedented new era of air travel. He described the coastline as the perfect stage for the launch.

Certification progress and market expansion

The agreement with Gold Coast Helitours follows recent regulatory milestones for the Japanese manufacturer. On April 15, 2026, SkyDrive became the first dedicated eVTOL developer in Japan to receive Approved Design Organization (ADO) certification from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB). This certification allows the company to conduct internal design verification, streamlining the broader type certification process.

SkyDrive is also pursuing concurrent validation for international markets. In July and August 2026, the company commenced formal familiarization meetings with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) alongside the JCAB.

Tomohiro Fukuzawa, Founder and CEO of SkyDrive Inc., praised the partnership in the release:

Gold Coast Helitours is an outstanding partner with a proven history of safe operations and a clear, forward-looking vision for next-generation mobility. We are profoundly honored to announce our first aircraft introduction agreement in Australia alongside an operator with such industry-leading ambition.

AirPro News analysis

We view this LOI as a strategic foothold for SkyDrive in the Asia-Pacific region outside of its domestic Japanese market. Australia’s regulatory environment and established tourism helicopter sector make it a logical early-adopter market for AAM operations. By partnering with an established operator like Gold Coast Helitours, SkyDrive gains access to existing heliport infrastructure and operational expertise, which will be critical for transitioning from conventional rotorcraft to eVTOL services. The timeline of 2028 for initial operations aligns with the broader industry consensus for early commercial AAM entry into service, though it remains contingent on the successful completion of the JCAB and FAA certification programs.

Sources: SkyDrive Inc.