Stellantis-backed eVTOL Aircraft Developer Archer Rolls Out First Midnight Aircraft

Archer Aviation Inc., a US developer of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, has now completed the final assembly of its first Midnight aircraft. With initial testing complete, the aircraft has been shipped from Archer’s Palo Alto facility to its flight test facility in Salinas, California and reassembled.

Archer will now take this aircraft through a series of ground tests leading up to its planned first flight this summer.

It is targeting the completion of final assembly of its initial conforming Midnight aircraft in Q4 2023 and to begin piloted flight test operations in early 2024. 

With a range of up to 100 miles, Archer’s Midnight aircraft is designed to perform rapid back-to-back flights with minimal charge time in between.

Its goal is to replace 60-90 minute commutes by car with 10-20 minute electric air taxi flights that are  cost competitive with ground transportation.

Archer is backed by key strategic partners, Stellantis and United Airlines.

Adam Goldstein, Archer’s Founder and CEO, says: “Today we announced our exciting progress that the final assembly of our first Midnight aircraft is now complete and it is preparing for its flight test program. This aircraft will accelerate and reduce risk on our certification program paving the way for our team to focus on building and conducting piloted operations with conforming aircraft to support the goal of entering into service in 2025.”

Archer's team is based in Santa Clara, California.