Archer, a leading eVTOL air taxi company, has achieved a significant milestone as its production-ready Midnight aircraft takes its inaugural flight. The Midnight, a sleek and stylish five-seat eVTOL, is set to enter service in 2025, offering emission-free, noiseless, and efficient transportation for short-range trips in urban areas.
Featuring a distinctive V-shaped tail and twelve propellers, the Midnight is designed to reach speeds of up to 150 mph (241 km/h) during wingborne cruise mode with its front six props angled forward. While it has a maximum range of 100 miles (161 km), Archer has strategically focused its efforts on optimizing the aircraft for short commutes within 20 to 50 miles (32 to 80 km). Ahead of launch, Archer is running city-wide simulations to streamline its operational processes.
The primary goal of Archer is to provide an alternative to long car commutes. By replacing 60-to-90-minute journeys with a clean and efficient 10 to 20 minutes of electric flight, the company aims to offer affordable transportation options that surpass the cost of helicopter rides. Additionally, Archer has designed the aircraft for back-to-back 20-mile flights with a quick 12-minute charging interval.
Archer has already made significant progress in the eVTOL industry with its two-seat Maker prototype, which has been in flight since December 2021. Over the past twelve months, the prototype successfully transitioned to wingborne cruise mode. The Midnight, however, represents a significant leap forward, both in terms of size and appearance. Archer anticipates commencing transition and cruise testing for the Midnight in the coming months.
Commenting on the achievement, Tom Muniz, Chief Operating Officer of Archer, stated, “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.” Muniz further added, “It brings Archer and the eVTOL industry another step closer to bringing a scalable and commercially viable aircraft to market.”
While Archer progresses in its development and testing, it faces the challenge of obtaining certification from regulatory authorities such as the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency). Archer aims to commence “for credit” testing towards type certification for the Midnight aircraft in 2024. However, it is worth noting that the certification process is subject to the FAA’s timelines and regulations.
As the eVTOL industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to observe the progress of Archer, along with other key players such as Joby and Beta, as they navigate the certification requirements and strive to bring their innovative aircraft to markets around the world.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
Ravina Pandya, Content Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. With an MBA in E-commerce, she has an expertise in SEO-optimized content that resonates with industry professionals.