SkyDrive inks deal for 50 eVTOL planes with South Korea’s Sole

Japan-based electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) plane maker SkyDrive has gotten a bit more tailwind in the commercialization push of its three-seat “flying car” with an order of 50 craft from leasing firm Solyu of South Korea.

SkyDrive described the purchase as taking the form of a memorandum of understanding – one of the several contractual configurations buyers use to create wiggle room in the event developers of eVTOL aircraft can’t deliver as promised. From external appearances, however, Solyu isn’t likely to be disappointed in that way, given the progress the Japanese startup has made in developing its flying car concept.

SkyDrive is currently undergoing the certification process for its SD-05 eVTOL with the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau. It also began laying the groundwork for authorization and sales of the plane in the US with its decision last February to open offices in South Carolina.

Its new agreement,…