SkyDrive Partners with Stirling Dynamics to Design and Manufacture Pilot Control Stick for SKYDRIVE SD-05 Production Aircraft

SkyDrive Inc. (“SkyDrive”), a leading eVTOL (*1) aircraft manufacturer based in Japan, announced today that it has entered into a development agreement with Stirling Dynamics Ltd (“Stirling Dynamics”), a subsidiary of the global engineering, technology, and consulting group Expleo. Under the agreement, Stirling Dynamics will supply the Pilot Control Stick for the SKYDRIVE SD-05, SkyDrive’s first production model. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the development of the SKYDRIVE SD-05, supporting SkyDrive’s commitment to the development and delivery of next-generation eVTOL aircraft equipped with advanced, safe, and reliable flight control systems.
From left to right in the photo: Arnaud Coville, Chief Development Officer of SkyDrive; Bandula Pathinayake, Vice President of Stirling Dynamics; and Rajesh Krishnamurthy, Chief Executive Officer of Expleo, at the Paris Air Show.

SkyDrive is working to fulfil its mission of “taking the lead in the once-in-a-century mobility revolution” and its vision of creating a future in which the general public, in Japan and around the world, use eVTOLs to meet their daily mobility needs.

Stirling Dynamics is an established UK-based advanced engineering company with over 35 years of experience in delivering high-performance, safety-critical systems across the aerospace and marine sectors.

SkyDrive’s decision to collaborate with Stirling Dynamics was driven by their unmatched expertise in active control inceptors, particularly their pioneering work in active pilot control sticks. Stirling Dynamics’ deep understanding of pilot-in-the-loop systems, ergonomic design, and high-fidelity force feedback aligns seamlessly with SkyDrive’s goals for the pilot control stick project, and these qualities, combined with the company’s proven track record of participation in both military and commercial aviation programs, makes them the ideal partner for this initiative.

Together, SkyDrive and Stirling Dynamics aim to design and deliver a pilot control stick system that sets new standards for performance and responsiveness. With both parties committed to the delivery of high-quality solutions for the aerospace market, this partnership represents an opportunity to achieve significant steps forward in both innovation and user-focused design.

Arnaud Coville, Chief Development Officer of SkyDrive, commented: “We are delighted to be collaborating with Stirling Dynamics on the development pilot control stick tailored for our eVTOL aircraft. As we pioneer the future of urban air mobility, having a partner with deep expertise in active control inceptors and human-machine interaction is critical. Stirling Dynamics’ experience in supplying pilot-centric solutions aligns perfectly with our goal of creating a flight control experience that is intuitive, responsive, and safe. Together, we are setting new standards in eVTOL cockpit design and redefining what it means to fly in the next generation of electric aircraft.”

Bandula Pathinayake, Vice President, Stirling Dynamics said: “SkyDrive envisions a future of realising sky roads, making air travel more accessible and efficient. In transforming the future of transportation, by creating advanced and reliable eVTOL solutions, we are proud to support SkyDrive with the design, development, certification, and manufacture of the pilot control stick for the SD-05 model, a zero-emission flying vehicle. Together, we will create and deliver groundbreaking eVTOL aircraft that enhance safety, performance, and sustainability. By combining SkyDrive’s innovative approach to aircraft design with our engineering expertise, we look forward to the developments ahead and to shaping the future of urban air mobility.”