A Future Air Taxi? Archer's Electric eVTOL Flies 55 Miles in 31 Minutes

Archer Aviation is 'the official air taxi partner' of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Electrek reported in May. In June it entered 'a key development phase ahead of full-fledged flight certification and commercial operations' by completing a piloted flight in its flagship Midnight aircraft, 'demonstrating a conventional takeoff and landing instead of vertical (it can do both).'

During that flight, which took place in the skies above Salinas, California, the eVTOL achieved a top speed of 125 mph and a maximum altitude of 1,500 feet above ground level. Most recently, Archer has taken its Midnight eVTOL above Salinas again, achieving its longest flight to date. Per Archer, the recent successful flight in California lasted 31 minutes, and the piloted Midnight eVTOL traveled 55 miles — the company's longest recorded flight yet with a pilot onboard... [Again with speeds exceeding 125 mph]

United Airlines CFO Mike Leskinen, who led the airline's early investment in Archer Aviation, was present at the test facility to witness the milestone flight. Leskinen congratulated the Archer team on its longest eVTOL flight and expressed his satisfaction with the Midnight aircraft's quiet operation.
Their aircraft even 'reached speeds of nearly 150 miles per hour' the week before, according to Archer's announcement. They're calling it another milestone 'as the company advances toward FAA certification in the U.S. and near-term commercialization in the United Arab Emirates.'

And Archer's Founder/CEO said crossing the 50-mile mark at speed 'is another clear step toward commercialization that shows the maturity of our program.'

Read more of this story at Slashdot.