Archer Aviation has started piloted flight tests with its Midnight eVTOL aircraft prototype. On June 2, the company announced that the first flights with chief test pilot Jeff Greenwood at the controls took place in California last week.
The first sortie in this next phase of flight testing featured a conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL), with Archer seeking to demonstrate this capability in tandem with the Midnight vertical takeoff and landing performance. With 12 propellers, including six that tilt in VTOL mode, the electric aircraft cruised at speeds of up to 109 knots and reached a maximum altitude of more than 1,500 feet.
According to Archer, flight testing will now focus on factors including flight control responsiveness, stability, and aerodynamic and control model validation. The company will gather data to support its type certification campaigns in both the U.S. and UAE, where it expects to see the first commercial air taxi operations with the four-passenger Midnight.
Flying for the Marines, Bell, and Now Archer
Greenwood has been with Archer since 2021 and provided input on cockpit design and selecting vendors for Midnight’s flight displays. The former U.S. Marine Corps pilot is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School and used to work for Bell Textron, flight testing its helicopters.
“Flying Midnight felt just like flying the simulator; everything responded exactly as we trained for, which is exactly what you hope for during a test flight,” he commented. “That level of consistency is no surprise. It’s a testament to the engineering and operational excellence of our team, whose attention to detail and dedication to safety made this milestone possible.”
According to Archer, government regulators and both civil and military customers have indicated that they favor both CTOL and VTOL performance to ensure support for operational flexibility and enhanced safety. Archer has not said what the Midnight’s maximum range will be in CTOL mode, but is anticipating eVTOL flights of just under 87 nm.