A Boost for SkyLift

Akihabara News (Tokyo) — Japan eVTOL-maker SkyDrive is giving a boost to its drone division with two new initiatives intended to popularize its offering.

Aside from the one-seat eVTOL SD-03 for which it is best known, SkyDrive has also produced a heavy-lift drone model it calls SkyLift.

The main feature of this logistics drone is that it is designed to carry loads of up to 30 kilograms in mountainous locations. The drone includes a hoist function that allows it to be unloaded on rough territory without needing to land.

The company explains that sales of SkyLift have been constrained by the fact that some potential clients are hesitant to purchase an aircraft which they are not sure they can operate effectively, safely, and legally.

Therefore, as a new initiative, the company is offering a program it calls SkyLift Plus by which SkyDrive will deploy its own staff to survey and plan flights, operate the drone on behalf of clients, and arrange for the necessary official permissions. Moreover, their intention is to teach the clients to gain these skills for themselves, so after a while they are no longer dependent on SkyDrive to handle these drone missions.

By easing the concerns of inexperienced clients, SkyDrive hopes that it can make additional sales of its SkyLift drone.

Additionally, as a promotional measure, SkyDrive has hired alpinist Ken Noguchi as its “SkyLift Ambassador.” In keeping with its theme of using the heavy-lift drone to help clients scale logistical challenges in the Japanese highlands, this well-known mountaineer will be featured in its advertising campaigns.