Pivotal, Larry Page’s flying-car firm, loses CEO amid leadership shuffle
Pivotal, the air-mobility venture backed by Larry Page, has lost its CEO just months after scaling test flights across California. The company confirmed on Monday that CEO William Karklin is leaving to pursue “new endeavors,” with aviation executive Mike Ross stepping in on an interim basis while the board searches for a permanent replacement.
A leadership shift at a high-flying startup
Ross, who joined Pivotal’s board in November 2025, brings deep aviation experience to the interim role. His appointment follows months of rapid progress: Pivotal has flown dozens of unmanned test sorties and begun human-piloted flights in restricted airspace around Palo Alto and Hollister. The company has not disclosed a timeline for commercial service, but insiders say certification efforts are accelerating with the FAA under the agency’s new Part 135 rules for electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
What’s next for Pivotal—and Page’s air-mobility play
Page’s involvement in Pivotal has long signaled serious intent behind the once-niche dream of flying cars. Unlike many eVTOL startups that target air-taxi networks, Pivotal is developing a two-seat, piloted aircraft aimed at private owners—an approach that could reach market faster but requires rigorous safety validation. The interim CEO appointment buys time for the board to clarify strategy and investor expectations, especially as the sector faces heightened scrutiny over certification delays and rising capital costs.
Why it matters
Leadership changes at pioneering ventures often expose growing pains. For an industry betting on regulatory breakthroughs by 2028-2030, Pivotal’s move underscores the tension between rapid iteration and safety oversight. Whether the interim leadership can steady the program—and secure follow-on funding—will influence not just Page’s legacy in aviation, but the broader timetable for personal air mobility.
Source: TechCrunch. AI-assisted editorial synthesis — TechnoExpress.