American electric aircraft maker Archer Aviation proudly announced on May 11 that the first Midnight eVTOL has successfully undergone its final assembly.
The press release noted that Archer has now deployed the first Midnight aircraft to its test facility in Salinas, California, following the final assembly and initial testing completion.
Archer prepares Midnight eVTOL for its first test flight
Archer plans to start a series of ground tests for the Midnight eVTOL before launching its first test flight this summer.
Additionally, the company will now be able to employ crucial “company testing to accelerate and reduce risk on its certification program with the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”).”
Archer intends to fly several of the same test points required during piloted “for credit” flight testing to further validate the aircraft before the FAA observes and takes part in the flight testing.
According to the press release, the Midnight aircraft’s part production has already started.
Archer’s CEO applauded the milestone, saying that it will lead the team to achieve its objective of “entering into service in 2025.”
“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.”
Adam Goldstein, Archer’s Founder, and CEO
Archer also claims that the US Department of Defense (DOD) is interested in the Midnight eVTOL due to its payload capacity.
As part of its planned expansion with the DOD, the business also established a Government Services Advisory Board this week. This board will be a discussion forum for how the government may use eVTOL aircraft.
Archer’s Midnight aircraft has a range of up to 100 miles. It is engineered to fly quickly back-to-back with little charge time in between. By replacing 60–90 minute car commutes that can take over an hour in traffic with 10–20 minute electric air taxi flights that are reliable, eco-friendly, quiet, and cost-effective, Archer hopes to revolutionize intercity travel.
See Also:
- Stellantis will build Archer’s 100-mile electric aircraft
- Stellantis to mass produce Archer’s air taxi under the $150 million deal
- Archer and United Airlines announced the first commercial electric air taxi route in the US
- eVTOLS could decide future of urban air mobility
- United Airlines invests $15 Million in electric aircraft startup Eve Air Mobility
Archer expects the first conforming Midnight aircraft to finish final assembly in the fourth quarter of 2023 and start piloted test flight in early 2024.
Keep checking for additional details on Archer’s website as it works swiftly to launch its Midnight aircraft.
