Pivotal CEO Ken Karklin Departs from Flying Car Company

Ken Karklin has left his position as CEO of Pivotal, a flying car company backed by Larry Page, after more than four years in the role. The company announced Karklin's departure this week, stating he is 'pursuing new endeavors' but did not provide further details. In a statement, Karklin expressed that leading Pivotal has been a significant privilege and highlighted the company's progress in the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) industry. He noted that the industry has moved beyond prototypes to real-world applications. Mike Ross, an aviation executive who joined Pivotal's board in November 2025, will serve as interim CEO. Karklin's exit follows Pivotal's launch of its first lightweight electric personal aircraft, Helix, which does not require a pilot's license and starts at approximately $200,000. Ross acknowledged Karklin's contributions and emphasized the company's commitment to safety and engineering during this transition. Pivotal is also developing an aircraft named BlackFly, aimed at defense and first responder applications. Recently, BlackFly was utilized in an emergency response in North Carolina, reportedly arriving 20 minutes earlier than an ambulance. Pivotal is part of the Federal Aviation Administration's eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, which aims to enhance testing of eVTOL aircraft across the United States.