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Archer Aviation announced that its Midnight eVTOL aircraft completed its longest piloted flight of approximately 55 miles.
The company reports that the flight was conducted as a conventional takeoff and landing mission and was completed in 31 minutes with speeds exceeding 126 mph and took place at Archer's flight test facility in California. Test flights done the week before reportedly reached speeds of nearly 150 mph over a variety of patterns.
"Throughout the thirty-minute flight, the aircraft performed consistently, with predictable handling," said the Experimental Test Pilot for the flight. "It was a beautiful day to be behind the controls."
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Archer states that the milestone is another step toward FAA certification and commercialization in the UAE. Four pilots are now conducting test flights in Midnight over speed, duration and potential commercial operations.
"I was proud to be on the tarmac with the team for this flight," said Adam Goldstein, Archer's Founder and CEO. "Crossing the 50-mile mark at speed is another clear step toward commercialization that shows the maturity of our program."