Archer is gearing up for the anticipated first flight of its Maker eVTOL technology demonstrator later this year with the recruitment of Jeff Greenwood as its chief flight test pilot and head of flight safety. In a July 6 announcement, the California-based company also said it has appointed Dave Dennison as vice president of engineering.
Among Greenwood’s first responsibilities will be developing flight-deck systems for the aircraft, as well as setting a timeline for test flights and then leading those operations. He will be closely involved in all aspects of flight-deck design, including selecting suppliers for flight displays and other equipment. A company spokesman told FutureFlight that Archer remains on track to start flight testing within the next six months, even though Maker's flight deck is not yet fully developed and presumably needs to be integrated into the demonstrator aircraft.
Greenwood is a former test pilot with helicopter manufacturer Bell, which has been working on an eVTOL design called Nexus. Earlier in his career, he was a pilot with the U.S. Marine Corps, having graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School.
Dennison will strengthen Archer’s leadership team as it steps up efforts to achieve type certification for its larger four-passenger eVTOL aircraft by 2024. He was previously vice president of engineering with Triumph Aerospace Structures, which is partnered with another eVTOL aircraft developer called Jaunt Air Mobility.
At Triumph, Dennison helped to create thermoplastic structures technology and was involved in certification work for Bombardier’s Global 7500 business jet and Embraer’s E2 airliner. Earlier in his career, he too worked for Bell, where he managed the production line for the company’s 525 helicopter. He has a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology and an MBA from Regent University.
According to Archer, it is on track to complete its planned merger with Atlas Crest Investment Corporation. The company said that the anticipated $1.1 billion in funds raised by the flotation on the New York Stock Exchange will fund further additions to its team, as well as flight testing and a new research and development facility.
