Archer Aviation’s Midnight aircraft has successfully completed its highest altitude flight to date, reaching altitudes of 7,000ft.
The altitude was achieved during a test flight off from Archer’s facility in Salinas, California and represents the latest milestone in Midnight’s envelope expansion testing program.
Midnight is a piloted, four-passenger eVTOL aircraft that uses a proprietary twelve-tilt-six propeller configuration and is intended for short-distance trips of around 20 miles (32km) with a rapid charging time of approximately 10 minutes. The aircraft has a maximum range of 100 miles (160km).
This flight marked was one of a series of ongoing aircraft performance test flights designed to test and showcase Midnight’s operational range. Archer envisions that Midnight will primarily operate in and around cities at altitudes between 1,500 and 4,000ft, but may need to operate at higher altitudes for air traffic management purposes.
During the flight, Midnight’s test pilot conducted a steady climb after take-off, leveled off at altitude, then continued to fly for 45 miles in total at speeds of more than 120 mph (190km/h). The achievement follows last month’s record-setting flight in which Midnight covered around 55 miles in 31 minutes at speeds exceeding 126 mph.
Adam Goldstein, founder and CEO of Archer said, “I’m proud of the team for consistently proving Midnight’s performance capabilities while maintaining the highest safety standards. Our test pilots will continue to safely and methodically test Midnight’s speed, duration and mission profiles to prepare for early commercial operations.”
Archer said that the test flight milestones “underscore the aircraft’s readiness” for FAA certification in the USA. and near-term commercialization in the UAE.
Archer’s Midnight is expected to enter service next year. The company is the official air taxi provider for the LA 2028 Olympic games. It is also working with the US Government and Air Force as part of several initiatives aimed at introducing eVTOL aircraft and has been flight testing in Abu Dhabi, with a view to launching an air taxi service in the UAE.
