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 successfully achieved its first transition from vertical takeoff to sustained wingborne forward flight.
This critical milestone, reached less than 12 months after its first hover, validates Archer's proprietary 12-tilt-6 propeller configuration.
The successful transition is a major step towards Archer's goal of FAA certification for its production eVTOL, Midnight, in 2024.

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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.