Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR), a leading player in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, achieved a significant milestone in its flight test program as the company's Midnight aircraft completed a successful flight. This achievement is a culmination of four years of intensive flight testing, including two years of full-scale flight tests with the Maker aircraft.
The next phase of Archer's flight test program, represented by the Midnight aircraft, builds upon the successes of its predecessor and takes a substantial step forward in Archer's journey towards commercialization. Adam Goldstein, Archer's founder and CEO, expressed, "The next year and a half will be focused on continuing to rapidly advance our flight test program and Archer’s electric air taxi operations as we prepare to bring Midnight to market in 2025."
Tom Muniz, COO of Archer, emphasized the significance of this milestone, stating, "Having taken seven full-size eVTOL aircraft from design to flight test during my career in the eVTOL industry, today’s milestone with Midnight marks the most significant flight to date, bringing Archer and the eVTOL industry another step closer to bringing a scalable and commercially viable aircraft to market."
As the flight test program progresses, Midnight's flight envelope is set to advance rapidly from hover to full wing-borne transition flight in the coming months. This progress paves the way for Archer to initiate "for credit" testing of the Midnight aircraft with the FAA next year, a vital step as the company works towards its target entry into service in 2025.
Archer also plans to simultaneously continue the flight test program for its Maker aircraft and conduct simulated commercial routes, further enhancing the company's operational readiness.
Archer's ultimate goal is to transform urban travel by offering electric air taxi flights that are safe, sustainable, low-noise, and cost-competitive with ground transportation. The Midnight aircraft, designed to carry four passengers, will enable rapid back-to-back flights with minimal charge time between trips.
Archer Aviation is dedicated to designing and developing eVTOL aircraft for urban air mobility networks. The company's mission is to redefine how people move and spend their time by unlocking the skies.