# Larry Page-Backed Flying Car Company Pivotal Loses Its CEO Pivotal CEO Ken Karklin steps down after four years at the helm. - **Source:** [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com) - **Published:** 2026-09-01 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/267c0d66-eb69-4b00-9d4e-aea64941a7ea ## Leadership Change at Pivotal Flying car company Pivotal, backed by Larry Page, announced the departure of CEO Ken Karklin. Karklin led the company for over four years, playing a pivotal role in developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technology. The company stated Karklin is 'pursuing new endeavors' but did not share details. Aviation executive Mike Ross will serve as interim CEO. ## Karklin's Legacy Ken Karklin emphasized that Pivotal moved light eVTOL technology from prototypes to real-world applications. 'This industry now operates under real-world constraints,' he said. Karklin believes Pivotal's foundation will shape the future of Advanced Air Mobility. The company began sales of its Helix personal aircraft two years ago, priced from $200,000. ## Helix and BlackFly Pivotal's Helix model starts at $200,000 and requires no pilot license. The company also developed BlackFly, an aircraft designed for defense and emergency response. Last month, BlackFly responded to an emergency in North Carolina, arriving 20 minutes faster than an ambulance. BlackFly has completed over 10,000 flights to date. ## Transition Phase Mike Ross joined Pivotal's board in 2025 and will now serve as interim CEO. Ross credited Karklin's leadership for Pivotal's current position. 'We'll maintain our disciplined approach to safety and engineering,' he said. Ross will lead the launch of Pivotal's fourth-generation Helix aircraft. ## Industry Position Pivotal was selected for the FAA's eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, which aims to expand testing across the U.S. The company differentiates itself by focusing on defense and emergency applications. BlackFly's success strengthens Pivotal's position in this niche. The CEO transition marks a milestone as the eVTOL industry matures. ## Future Plans Pivotal is preparing to launch its fourth-gen Helix model and expand BlackFly's applications in defense and emergency response. Under Mike Ross's leadership, Pivotal could play a larger role in the FAA program. The future of eVTOL depends on the commercial success of companies like Pivotal. ## Broader Industry Impact Pivotal's CEO change reflects the eVTOL industry's evolution from prototypes to commercial products. Karklin's departure comes as Pivotal establishes itself in both consumer and defense markets. Ross's aviation expertise could further solidify Pivotal's position. The company's trajectory will influence the broader adoption of eVTOL technology. ## Sources covering this story - https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/01/larry-pages-flying-car-company-pivotal-loses-its-ceo/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._