Archer Aviation has completed production of its first Midnight electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
With final assembly and initial testing complete, the aircraft has been shipped from Archer’s Palo Alto facility to its flight test facility in Salinas, California.
The first company test flights of the Midnight aircraft are expected to take place this summer after a series of ground tests.
This will allow Archer to prepare for the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) “for credit” certification testing programme that it plans to begin early next year.
During company testing, the aircraft will fly many of the same test points that will be required of it as part of the “for credit” tests.
Meanwhile, component manufacturing is also underway for Archer’s conforming Midnight aircraft to expand its fleet.
Adam Goldstein, Archer’s Founder and CEO said:Today we announced our exciting progress that the final assembly of our first Midnight aircraft is now complete and it is preparing for its flight test program. This aircraft will accelerate and reduce risk on our certification program paving the way for our team to focus on building and conducting piloted operations with conforming aircraft to support the goal of entering into service in 2025.
Archer’s Midnight aircraft has a range of up to 100 miles and is designed to perform rapid back-to-back flights with minimal charge time.
Archer anticipates that this solution could transform city travel by replacing 60-90 minute commutes by car with 10-20 minute eVTOL flights.
