Archer's Maker eVTOL Makes Transition From Vertical to Cruise Flight

Prototype electric aircraft is a testbed for technology Archer plans to use on Midnight, a design it hopes to certify with the FAA.

Jonathan Welsh

Friday, December 02, 2022 at 05:26 PM ET

Verified

Archer's Maker prototype has made a transition form powered-lift vertical flight to forward wing-borne flight. [Courtesy: Archer Aviation]

Key Takeaways:

Archer Aviation's Maker prototype eVTOL aircraft successfully completed its first transition from vertical takeoff to fully wingborne forward flight, a critical milestone achieved less than 12 months after its initial hover.
This achievement validates Archer's proprietary 12-tilt-6 propeller configuration and significantly advances the company's goal of receiving FAA certification for its production model, Midnight, by 2024.
The Maker's flight test data is invaluable for the development and certification path of the Midnight eVTOL, positioning Archer Aviation to potentially be the first company to certify an eVTOL aircraft in the U.S. with the FAA.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Archer Aviation Inc. [NYSE: ACHR] said its Maker prototype eVTOL aircraft made its first transition from a vertical takeoff, powered-lift mode of flight to fully wingborne forward flight. The aircraft made the critical transition less than 12 months after its first hovering flight, the company said.

The Maker is now among a small number of full-scale eVTOL test aircraft to make this type of transition so far, and the event marks a major step toward the company’s goal of receiving FAA certification for its production model, called Midnight, in 2024.