Flying Taxi Company Moving to Production; Final Testing Next

An eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) company has started construction of the first three of its flying taxi vehicles to be used for the federal approval process.

Archer Aviation is now set to begin the final assembly in the coming weeks and those piloted electric aerial vehicles (EAV) are aimed at flight testing and subsequent uses in “for credit” flight testing with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). 

Final assembly of the Archer Midnight EAVs is being done at the company’s manufacturing facility in San Jose, California.

“The key to achieving FAA certification is flying a conforming aircraft,” said Archer founder and  CEO Adam Goldstein. “I believe we are positioned to be the first in the sector to do so. From day one, Archer’s strategy has been to build an aircraft that is certifiable and manufacturable at scale. This focus is what has allowed us to move quicker and more efficiently than any other company in the industry over the last few years.”

Archer recently completed the first phase of its flight testing and moved to the next phase of speed testing.

The first phase involved progressively more complex flight maneuvers to capture data for analysis. 

The next phase involves an incremental approach to speed testing with the EAV flying at greater and greater speeds until achieving a full wing-borne transition.

Related:Flying Taxi Company Teams With NASA for Batteries

The transition would demonstrate the ability to take off and land vertically and cruise efficiently in wing-borne flight.

The third phase would involve flying simulated commercial routes to demonstrate operational readiness.

Archer recently signed a Space Act Agreement with NASA for the testing of its battery cell and system design, with plans to share the results to aid the advanced air mobility (AAM) market.

Midnight’s battery system was recently upgraded to include some of the first high-voltage battery packs from the Archer manufacturing facility.

The company recently signed a deal with Air Chateau International for the private aviation operator to purchase the EAV to be operated in the United Arab Emirates.

Archer and Air Chateau also plan to explore opportunities around infrastructure investment necessary for regional cities to prepare for operations.

Archer previously outlined its intent to build an engineering center of excellence to support the growing advanced air mobility industry in the UAE and across the Middle East.

Archer recently announced plans to start air taxi operations in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in 2026. Archer is not alone in expanding its global operation.

Related:Flying Taxi Deal Signed; $500M for 100 Flying Vehicles for UAE

EAV jet maker Lilium recently announced that ArcosJet DMCC is going to purchase 10 of its electric jets and become the exclusive dealer for its private jets in the region.

Archer’s goal is to replace 60- to 90-minute car trips with 10- to 20-minute flights.

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