Archer Aviation announced today a significant step forward in its efforts to construct the company’s debut fleet of Midnight aircraft, with assembly already underway for the initial three conforming units. Scheduled to commence final assembly in the coming weeks, this milestone underscores Archer’s commitment to advancing its commercialization plans.
The forthcoming fleet will undergo piloted flight testing later this year, followed by “for credit” evaluation alongside the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as part of the company’s path towards commercial deployment.
The imminent completion of these aircraft marks a pivotal step for Archer, aligning with its strategic focus on developing aircraft with components and systems that adhere to the intended type design. This conformity is essential for facilitating FAA-certified flight testing following the conclusion of the company’s internal evaluation phase, slated to commence later this year. Notably, the final assembly process will take place at Archer’s manufacturing facility located in San Jose, California.
In discussing the importance of achieving FAA certification, Archer’s Founder & CEO, Adam Goldstein, remarked, “The key to achieving FAA certification is flying a conforming aircraft. I believe we are positioned to be the first in the sector to do so.” Goldstein emphasized the company’s dedication to building certifiable and scalable aircraft from the outset, attributing this focus to Archer’s ability to outpace competitors within the industry in recent years.
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Archer aims to revolutionize urban transportation by offering expedited air travel as a viable alternative to lengthy ground commutes. The Midnight aircraft, designed to accommodate four passengers and piloted operation, is poised to facilitate rapid, short-haul flights with minimal turnaround time between trips, promising a safe, sustainable, low-noise, and cost-effective mode of transportation.
