Akihabara News (Tokyo) — eVTOL-maker SkyDrive has hired six-term House of Representatives lawmaker Norio Mitsuya as an advisor, apparently to facilitate the process of gaining government licensing for its planned flying taxi business.
Mitsuya, who retired from politics last October, rose as high as parliamentary senior vice-minister for foreign affairs during the Shinzo Abe administration. He began his career as a bureaucrat at the Ministry of Transport, in particular heading the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau for a time.
In regard to his appointment by SkyDrive, Mitsuya commented, “I have been involved in Japan’s aviation policy from an administrative and political standpoint for a long time. But even in the world of aviation there are movements that have never been seen before, such as the appearance of drones and the movement towards decarbonization. Things are changing significantly. SkyDrive’s business is entering unknown territory, and I think there are many challenges that must be overcome, making it a challenging and exciting field. I hope that my experience and knowledge will be useful.”
Aircraft Interiors
Separately, SkyDrive has also announced that it has formed a partnership with Tokyo-based JAMCO Corporation on aircraft interiors.
By terms of the agreement, JAMCO is seconding aircraft interior design specialists to help SkyDrive build its forthcoming two-seater SD-05 eVTOL in as elegant and comfortable manner as possible.
JAMCO also has practical experience dealing with the US Federal Aviation Administration, and it may be able to impart useful knowledge on regulatory matters when SkyDrive attempts to enter the US market.
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