Leadership Change at Pivotal as CEO Ken Karklin Departs
By Editor • September 1, 2026 • 1 min read
In a significant shift for the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) sector, Ken Karklin has stepped down as CEO of Pivotal, a company partially funded by tech billionaire Larry Page. Karklin, who led Pivotal for over four years, announced his departure this week, citing a desire to pursue new opportunities.
During his tenure, Karklin emphasized the transition of the eVTOL industry from concept to reality. 'Leading Pivotal has been the privilege of my career. Together, we’ve moved beyond the promise of light eVTOL and proved it out in practice,' he stated, reflecting on the company’s advancements.
As Pivotal navigates this leadership change, Mike Ross, who joined the board in November 2025, will assume the role of interim CEO. Ross praised Karklin’s contributions and noted that the company’s vision and priorities remain unchanged. 'I look forward to guiding the company forward as we bring our fourth-generation Helix aircraft to market,' he said.
Pivotal’s Helix, a single-seat aircraft that requires no pilot’s license, has been on sale for two years, priced at approximately $200,000. The company is also advancing its BlackFly aircraft, which recently demonstrated its utility in emergency responses, outperforming traditional ambulances by 20 minutes.
Notably, Pivotal is part of the FAA’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, which aims to enhance testing for this innovative mode of transportation.
Source: techcrunch.com
