Hanneke Weitering is a writer and editor with AIN covering advanced air mobility and new flight technologies. She became an aviation journalist and joined the AIN team in the summer of 2022 after reporting on spaceflight and astronomy for six years at Space.com. After earning a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she moved to New York City to pursue a master’s degree in science, health, and environmental reporting at New York University&#039;s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. She is now based in Seattle near Boeing Field and spends her free time exploring nature in the Pacific Northwest.

Science & Technology Editor

Hanneke Weitering

Emergency air medical services in Taiwan’s Penghu islands could start using SkyDrive’s electric air taxi to transport patients and doctors around the archipelago as early as 2028. As part of an expanded partnership agreement announced on May 8, Taiwanese drone developer 7A Drones has placed a pre-order for up to 10 of <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2025-04-10/skydrive-flies-evtol-air-taxi-prototype-osaka">SkyDrive’s three-seat SD-05 eVTOL aircraft</a>.
SkyDrive, a Japanese eVTOL aircraft manufacturer, has been collaborating with Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute (IRTI) and 7A Drones since March 2024 to explore use cases for eVTOL aircraft in Taiwan as well as Japan. Now the partners have decided to focus on emergency medical services in and around Penghu, starting with Magong, its largest island.
The Penghu archipelago consists of about 90 islands and islets between Taiwan and China in the Taiwan Strait. With only three airports—Penghu Airport (RCQC), Qimei Airport (RCCM), and Wang-an Airport (RCWA)—Penghu offers several ferry routes between the larger islands and mainland Taiwan. Its emergency air medical services rely on helicopters operated by local rescue companies and the&nbsp;National Airborne Service Corps.&nbsp;
“Taiwan is home to numerous remote islands which face urgent, critical issues, including not only the transportation of daily necessities and medical supplies but also the establishment of a rapid emergency medical transport system for doctors and patients,” said 7A Drones CEO Hsin-Sheng Hsu. “We aim to build an environment where every citizen in Taiwan can access appropriate medical services regardless of geographic constraints.”
The partners will start by developing the infrastructure needed to dispatch physicians within a 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) radius of Penghu’s main island, where its only two hospitals are located, according to SkyDrive. For example, an initial route will connect one of the hospitals in Magong City to Hujing, an islet to the southwest also known as Table Island (and recently nicknamed “<a href="https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2018/10/23/2003702887">Cat Island</a>” thanks to a booming feline population and efforts to increase tourism).&nbsp;
According to SkyDrive, the eVTOL infrastructure it is developing for emergency air medical services in Penghu will provide “a foundational platform” for other types of eVTOL businesses in Taiwan, including urban air taxi services and scenic flights for tourists. The company noted that its collaboration with 7A Drones and IRTI is part of the&nbsp;Taiwanese government’s broader strategy on advanced air mobility.&nbsp;
SkyDrive’s SD-05 eVTOL aircraft is designed to carry two passengers plus one pilot on short flights of 15 to 40 kilometers at a cruising speed of 100 kph (54 knots). The company plans to certify the aircraft for commercial air taxi operations in Japan as well as in the U.S., where it has established a subsidiary in South Carolina. The Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) issued SkyDrive its <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2025-02-11/japanese-regulator-confirms-certification-basis-skydrive">G-1 certification basis</a> documentation in February.&nbsp;

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

SkyDrive Plans Aeromedical eVTOL Flights in Taiwan's Penghu Islands

Doctors and patients in Penghu could fly in SkyDrive's eVTOL aircraft 

Emergency air medical services in Taiwan’s Penghu islands could start using SkyDrive’s electric air taxi to transport patients and doctors around the archipelago as early as 2028.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Business jets are often used by governments for diplomatic purposes.

Germany’s Fleet of VIP Bombardier Global 5000s and Airbus Jets Flies Its Leaders around the World

Charles Alcock

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

U.S. technology group will now provide inceptor controllers for pilots

Honeywell Expands Role with Vertical Aerospace’s VX4 eVTOL Aircraft 

Curt Epstein

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Airframer had its highest revenues in nearly a decade

Embraer Sees Strong Q1 Revenues and Deliveries

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

U.S. Air Force funds work on quiet, autonomous, hybrid-electric cargo aircraft

Whisper Reveals ‘Collaborative Logistics Aircraft’ Family

Kerry Lynch

In the shorter term, Global 8000 is nearing completion

Bombardier Eyes Uncrewed Future for EcoJet Technologies

Revenues reached $1.5 billion in the first quarter with 23 deliveries

Bombardier Sees Revenue Jump, More Tariff Certainty

Matt Thurber

The high-performance turboprop goes fast and is a pleasure to fly

Pilot Report: An Epic Epic E1000 GX

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

In this article

SkyDrive

More In Aircraft