Archer Aviation recently unveiled its Midnight production aircraft. [Courtesy: Archer Aviation]
Key Takeaways:
The FAA issued new airworthiness criteria for Archer Aviation's "Midnight" eVTOL air taxi, defining it as a powered-lift vehicle that combines characteristics of both rotorcraft and airplanes, requiring specific pilot ratings and adapted safety standards.
Archer's "Midnight" successfully completed its first full transition flight and aims for FAA certification by late 2024, with initial production of 250 aircraft targeted for 2025.
The industry, including NBAA, applauds the FAA's performance-based approach to Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) certifications, as other eVTOL developers like Joby Aviation and AIR also report progress in regulatory reviews and flight testing.
The eVTOL aircraft recently made its first transition between vertical takeoff, powered-lift, and fully wingborne forward flight within 12 months after its first hovering flight, according to Archer.
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Jeremy attained his bachelor's in journalism and emerging media from Kennesaw State University. He also served in the Georgia Air National Guard as a C-130 Crew Chief for six years, holding an associate in aircraft maintenance technology.
