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Larry Page’s flying car company Pivotal loses its CEO

Published

2 months ago

September 2, 2026

The CEO of a flying car company backed by Larry Page has left the company.

Ken Karklin, who was Pivotal’s CEO for more than four years, left the role this week, according to a press release. Pivotal said Karklin is “pursuing new endeavors” but didn’t offer any other information about the executive’s departure from the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) firm.

“Leading Pivotal has been the privilege of my career. Together, we’ve moved beyond the promise of light eVTOL and proved it out in practice,” Karklin said in a statement. “This industry has moved past prototypes and press releases; it’s now operating in the real world, under real constraints, with real consequences for the future of Advanced Air Mobility. As I turn to new endeavors, I do so knowing the foundation we built here will help carry this industry forward.”

Karklin will be replaced on an interim basis by Mike Ross, an aviation executive who joined Pivotal’s board of directors in November 2025. Karklin did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Karklin’s departure comes two years after Pivotal started sales of Helix, its first lightweight electric personal aircraft. The single-seat aircraft doesn’t require a pilot’s license to fly and starts at around $200,000.

“Ken’s leadership over the past four years has been instrumental in bringing Pivotal to where it is today. Our team, our priorities, and our roadmap remain steady through this transition,” Ross said in a statement. “I’ve had the honor of working closely with Ken as a Board member and watching Pivotal’s disciplined approach to safety, engineering, and accessibility deliver on the vision of electric VTOL flight. I look forward to working with the team and guiding the company forward as we bring our fourth-generation Helix aircraft to market.”

Pivotal has also spent years developing an aircraft called BlackFly that is aimed at defense and first-responder use cases. Last month, BlackFly was used to respond to an emergency in North Carolina for the first time ever. The company says it beat an ambulance responding in parallel to the call by 20 minutes. BlackFly has flown more than 10,000 times, according to Pivotal.

Pivotal is one of a number of companies in the space that was selected for the Federal Aviation Administration’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, which was created to increase testing of these types of aircraft around the country.

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Related Topics:car CEO Company Flying Larry loses Pages Pivotal

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PLATEAU RETRAINS 353 OPERATION RAINBOW OPERATIVES, DEPLOYS VEHICLES TO STRENGTHEN SECURITY OPERATIONS

Published

52 minutes ago

November 9, 2026

PlateauReports

The Plateau State Government has intensified efforts to strengthen its community-based security architecture with the retraining of 353 operatives of Operation Rainbow and the provision of operational vehicles to enhance security operations across the state.

The operatives successfully completed their training and passed out on Monday, November 9, 2026, during a colourful parade held at the New Zaria Road Stadium in Jos.

The retraining programme is aimed at strengthening the capacity of the operatives in intelligence gathering, early warning mechanisms, community engagement and rapid response to security threats.

The initiative is also expected to improve collaboration between local security structures and other conventional security agencies, particularly in identifying potential threats and preventing security breaches before they escalate.

The provision of operational vehicles is another significant step towards improving the mobility, operational efficiency and response capabilities of Operation Rainbow personnel, especially in communities where timely security intervention is critical.

With the retraining of the 353 operatives and the additional logistical support, the state government is reinforcing its commitment to community-driven security and proactive measures to protect lives and property.

Operation Rainbow remains an important component of Plateau State’s local security framework, particularly in strengthening grassroots intelligence and fostering cooperation between security personnel and local communities.

The development represents another step in the state’s ongoing efforts to build a more responsive, coordinated and effective security system across Plateau State.

News

IPAC welcomes directive for arrest of suspected thugs attacking opposition figures

Published

54 minutes ago

November 9, 2026

PlateauReports

The Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, in Cross River State has welcomed the directive by Governor Bassey Otu for the arrest of suspected thugs accused of attacking opposition figures, describing it as a step towards protecting political participation and preventing violence ahead of the 2027 elections.

The council said the action would help protect the rights of political parties and create an atmosphere for peaceful political competition in the state.

The state chairman of IPAC, Engr. Effiom Edet Okon, stated this in a press statement issued on Monday, November 9, while outlining the council's plans to promote political accountability and peaceful coexistence ahead of the elections.

The council, however, urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to embrace issue-based campaigns, responsible communication and peaceful competition, warning that political ambition should not endanger lives or public order.

As part of its accountability drive, IPAC announced plans to tour the 18 local government areas to inspect government projects, assess their level of implementation and determine their impact on communities.

It said the exercise would also identify areas requiring intervention and provide recommendations for improved service delivery.

The council disclosed that the tour would involve local government chairmen, security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, political party leaders, aspirants, candidates and community representatives.

IPAC also announced plans to organise a statewide political stakeholders' conference to promote dialogue, consensus-building and responsible political participation.

In addition, it scheduled a political parties' peace walk for Saturday, December 5, 2026. The event has as its theme, 'Unity in Diversity, Peace for a Greater Cross River'.

The council reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the democratic space and ensuring that political disagreements do not degenerate into violence as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.

IPAC welcomes directive for arrest of suspected thugs attacking opposition figures