Watch: Video Reveals Archer eVTOL Flight Tests

Engineers offer details on Archer Aviation’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) demonstrator.

Thursday, July 14, 2022 at 04:23 PM ET

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Archer Aviation released new video Thursday of its Maker prototype performing a brief flight test at its California facility. [Courtesy: Archer Aviation]

Key Takeaways:

Archer Aviation released a new video demonstrating its *Maker* eVTOL prototype performing a 3-minute hover test at 35 feet as part of its flight test campaign.
These tests, which included maneuvers like "chirps" (frequency sweeps), are crucial for engineers to gather data on the aircraft's stability characteristics and control system behavior.
Backed by United Airlines, Archer is making significant progress in eVTOL development, expanding its flight test program to prepare for challenging transition flight (vertical to horizontal).
Archer aims for FAA type certification by late 2024 to launch an aerial ridesharing service, with the *Maker* model expected to cruise at 130 knots with a 60 sm range.

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Archer Aviation (NYSE:ACHR) released new video Thursday, offering a bit of insight into the California-based electric air taxi developer’s flight test campaign.

The video shows Archer’s Maker electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) prototype hovering above the company’s flight test facility in rural California. “Maker flew exceptionally well,” said Archer flight test lead Matt Deal in the video. “We flew for about three minutes at 35 feet.” These tests, Deal said, help engineers determine the stability characteristics of the aircraft.