Larry Page’s Flying Car Company, Pivotal, Experiences Leadership Shift with CEO Departure

The founder of a flying car startup backed by Larry Page has resigned.

Ken Karklin, who led Pivotal as CEO for more than four years, has stepped down from his role this week, according to a press release. Pivotal shared that Karklin is “pursuing new opportunities,” but no additional information was provided concerning his departure from the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) firm.

“Leading Pivotal has been a significant milestone in my career. Together, we’ve evolved from envisioning light eVTOL to actualizing it,” Karklin stated in a release. “This industry has surpassed prototypes and promotional announcements; it is now operational in the real world, under genuine constraints, with real consequences for the future of Advanced Air Mobility. As I move on to new endeavors, I do so with the assurance that the groundwork we’ve laid here will advance this industry.”

Mike Ross, an aviation executive who joined Pivotal’s board of directors in November 2025, will act as the interim CEO following Karklin’s departure. Karklin has yet to provide a comment regarding his exit.

Karklin’s departure occurs two years after Pivotal began sales of the Helix, its first lightweight electric personal aircraft. This single-seat vehicle operates without the need for a pilot’s license and is priced starting at about $200,000.

“Ken’s leadership over the last four years has been crucial in bringing Pivotal to its current position. Our team, goals, and roadmap will remain unchanged during this transition,” Ross remarked. “I’ve had the honor of working closely with Ken as a Board member and witnessing Pivotal’s diligent dedication to safety, engineering, and accessibility in achieving the vision of electric VTOL flight. I look forward to collaborating with the team and steering the company as we get ready to launch our fourth-generation Helix aircraft.”

In addition, Pivotal has invested several years developing an aircraft known as BlackFly, geared towards defense and first responder uses. Last month marked the first-ever deployment of BlackFly in response to an emergency in North Carolina, where it reportedly arrived 20 minutes ahead of an ambulance responding to a parallel call. Pivotal claims that BlackFly has conducted over 10,000 flights.

Pivotal is one of several companies chosen for the Federal Aviation Administration’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, which aims to improve the testing of such aircraft across the country.