Sky Robots South Africa grew from practical experience in aviation, electronics engineering and professional drone operations.
Early drone experimentation developed into a South African engineering and manufacturing business. The team designs aircraft, builds composite airframes, integrates electronics and propulsion, and develops the software and ground systems used around the aircraft.
Aircraft development, assembly and flight testing connect the workshop with practical operating requirements. The current portfolio brings fixed-wing VTOL and multirotor aircraft together with SkyOS, ROIP and Command & Control systems.
Sky Robots South Africa is the engineering and manufacturing base. Sky Robots Mauritius manages international commercial relationships and the Country Partner programme. Aerial Works provides managed security operations and regulated pilot training.
The timeline traces early prototypes, airframe development and manufacturing. Meet the directors responsible for the business below.
From flight operations to aircraft development
Experience operating commercial drones at Aerial Works led Bertus van Zyl to explore local aircraft development. Access to imported aircraft, spare parts and proprietary batteries could constrain continued operations.
Early experiments combined ArduPilot, imported components and multirotor airframes. The work aimed to build local engineering, manufacturing and maintenance capability for South African operating conditions.
Development was under way in 2018 and grew into a dedicated South African business. Operational experience shaped the aircraft, payload, communications and operator environment as parts of a complete system.
The business subsequently expanded into fixed-wing VTOL aircraft, Command & Control infrastructure, aviation communications and software.
Engineering the business, step by step
From early multirotor experiments to an international aircraft and systems business. These photographs document the development work behind Sky Robots.
September 2018
Early multirotor experimentation
Experimental multirotor development was taking place by September 2018. Exposed flight-control electronics, wiring and imported components show the hands-on engineering work that preceded the formal company.
2019
Establishing the South African business
The early development work became a dedicated South African business, focused on local aircraft engineering and manufacturing and access to maintainable equipment.
October 2023
Building the first Command & Control vehicle
Construction in Centurion brought the operating environment into the same development programme as the aircraft. An extendable antenna mast and a purpose-built interior provided infrastructure for aircraft control and communications equipment.
April 2024
Developing the first-generation G1 VTOL
Workshop development in Centurion brought together the airframe, avionics and propulsion. The G1 programme extended the early multirotor work into an aircraft combining vertical take-off and landing with fixed-wing flight.
May 2024
The first G1 VTOL flight
The first G1 VTOL completed its first flight in Centurion on 2 May 2024. The photograph records the aircraft on the ground at the flight location that day.
December 2024
G2 VTOL: the move to carbon fibre
Development from G1 to G2 moved the airframe from 3D-printed construction to carbon fibre, marking a new stage in the VTOL platform’s engineering and manufacture.
November 2025
An international commercial base
The Mauritius business established an international commercial base for Sky Robots aircraft and systems, connecting the South African engineering team with customers and Country Partners in other markets.
March 2026
G3 VTOL: a larger wing for slower flight
The transition from G2 to G3 increased wingspan from 2.5 m to 3.2 m. The larger wing was introduced to support slower flight, while aircraft weight grew from approximately 15 kg to 20 kg as the platform developed.
June 2026
Multirotor development for longer endurance
The multirotor programme extended the aircraft portfolio with a platform for vertical flight and site observation. Airframe, battery and payload integration continue to inform its development and flight validation.
July 2026
ROIP: aviation radio at the operating site
Remote operations created a need for pilots to communicate with aircraft and air traffic services in the drone’s operating area, even when the pilot is elsewhere. Sky Robots ROIP connects authorised users to a site-based aviation radio through a browser, supporting the communications required by applicable operating rules.
2026
Sky Robots Mauritius and international growth
In 2026, Sky Robots Mauritius continued its international development through the Country Partner programme. Aircraft, software, communications, training and support form the basis of a business model built around locally established partners.
The People Behind Sky Robots
Bertus van Zyl and Kim James bring experience in engineering, aviation, business leadership and operational governance.
Bertus van Zyl
Director | Sky Robots
Bertus van Zyl is an electronics engineer, a crewed-aircraft pilot and an experienced commercial drone pilot. He is Managing Director of Sky Robots and Aerial Works and leads Sky Robots aircraft and systems development. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business and has over three decades of senior business experience.
Kim James
Director | Sky Robots
Kim James is a Director of Sky Robots and Aerial Works, with experience in aviation safety, operational governance and regulatory compliance. She holds a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Middlesex University in the United Kingdom and is a Chartered HR Professional. Her background includes investment banking in South Africa, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and the UAE. She is an author in the Drone Professional book series and a speaker on drone security and airspace integration.
Sky Robots Mauritius and an international network
Sky Robots Mauritius manages international commercial relationships and Country Partners. The South African business contributes aircraft engineering, manufacturing, testing, OEM training and technical support.
Country Partners develop local sales, training, technical support and customer enablement. Integration and manufacturing activities are included where specifically agreed. The aim is to build lasting local capability around the aircraft and its supporting systems.
Drones, software and communications. Designed to work together.
The portfolio brings together the SRV32 G3 Fixed-Wing VTOL Drone, Sky Robots Multirotor Drone, SkyOS, ROIP and Command & Control. Development considers how aircraft and supporting systems work together for the people using them.
Released SkyOS flight-log analysis is distinct from research into AI, predictive modelling and simulation. Validation guides the introduction of future functions.
Explore software and integrated systems
Discuss your requirements
Talk to the South African team about engineering, manufacturing and integrated drone systems.