Archer’s Midnight eVTOL Completes First Transition Flight

Midnight achieved speeds greater than 100 mph on the remotely controlled flight before reverting to vertical mode for landing.

Mark Phelps

Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 10:54 AM ET

Verified

Edited By: tccjeremy

Archer's Midnight aircraft flying at 100+ mph during transition flight. [Courtesy: Archer Aviation]

Key Takeaways:

Archer Aviation's Midnight eVTOL aircraft successfully completed its first transition flight on June 8, demonstrating the ability to shift from vertical takeoff to wing-borne flight at speeds over 100 mph.
The Midnight is among the largest eVTOLs to achieve this milestone, which Archer views as crucial for carrying commercially viable passenger payloads.
This marks the second full-scale eVTOL model from Archer to achieve transition flight, with piloted testing on track to begin later this year as the aircraft progresses through FAA type certification.
The Midnight aims to replace long car commutes with 10-20 minute air taxi trips that are safe, sustainable, low-noise, and cost-competitive with ground transportation.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Archer Aviation announced Wednesday it completed the first successful transition flight of its Midnight electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft on June 8.

In transitioning from vertical takeoff mode to wing-borne flight, the six front-facing electric motors tilt forward as it picks up speed to power the aircraft like a conventional fixed-wing aircraft. As shown in a company video, the Midnight achieved speeds of greater than 100 mph on the remotely controlled flight. It then reverted to vertical mode for landing.