Crewed flights are expected to begin at the end of 2024; This is an important step towards certification and commercial launch planned in 2025.

Analysts are optimistic about Archer’s progress, estimating the probability of success in this case at 50%. The company’s diligent preparation under the FAA program, which began in late October 2023, paved the way for extensive certification testing. These preliminary tests form the basis for further airworthiness tests, which is a necessary condition for the commercial viability of the project.

Archer shared an exciting video showing the Midnight cockpit in action during its initial testing phase.

Midnight Air Taxi from Archer: Watch the video

• The evaluation covered the basics, including the effectiveness of onboard systems, autopilot functionality and reliable battery packs.
• In the next stages of unmanned air taxi tests, it is planned to move to horizontal flight with rotors rotating at the leading edge of the wings.

If Archer Midnight receives regulatory approval, it could be used for relatively short flights between 30 and 80 kilometers. This range optimization is critical to maintaining a balance between battery charging time and route efficiency.

The electric aircraft can fly up to 160 km on a full charge, reach speeds of 241 km/h and accommodate up to four passengers, promising a transformative future for urban air mobility.