Archer Aviation has begun the next phase of testing of its Midnight eVTOL unit.
The latest phase of testing concerns the unit’s piloted flight capabilities, with the aircraft now capable of reaching speeds of up to 125 mph, as well as a maximum altitude of 1,500 feet above ground level.
Test flights feature a conventional take-off and landing procedure, demonstrating Midnight’s landing gear and showcasing its capability in performing both vertical and conventional take-off and landing operations.
During this new testing phase, Archer test pilots will continue to test key elements of the aircraft such as flight control responsiveness, stability and aerodynamic and control model validation, as well as gather data to support both its certification and commercialisation throughout the US and UAE.
Adam Goldstein, CEO and founder of Archer, said:Put simply, the performance of Midnight continues to demonstrate the strengths of our design decisions for this aircraft platform.
Midnight’s VTOL and CTOL capabilities are a strong differentiator for us as they are critical for delivering an aircraft that can integrate into a wide range of operational scenarios while also providing enhanced safety.
