Photo above – FAA Acting Administrator, Bill Nolen sits in Archer’s simulator.
You can’t electrify (aviation), until you certify (your aircraft with the FAA), which is why a recent visit to Archer HQ by FAA Acting Administrator, Billy Nolen, and Director of Certification, Lirio Liu, along with others from the FAA was a noteworthy event on Archer’s path to commercializing their Midnight aircraft.
The half-day visit included discussions about how they plan to safely integrate their eVTOL aircraft into the National Airspace System, their plans for aircraft manufacturing, a tour of their facilities and a demonstration of their aircraft flight simulator.
There were a few key takeaways from the meeting for the Archer team:
- A Top Three Priority | The FAA’s leaders reiterated that the safe integration of eVTOL aircraft into the national airspace is a top three priority to ensure the U.S. continues to lead the world in aerospace innovation
- 2025 is the Target | Safely integrating eVTOL aircraft into the national airspace in 2025 is the target we’re collectively working toward together
- eVTOL Aircraft Taking Center Stage at 2028 Olympics | Ensuring eVTOL aircraft are operating, at scale, in time for the 2028 Olympics in LA is a key outcome the FAA and Archer are focused on
From the day the Wright Flyer took flight in Kitty Hawk, NC back in 1903, the U.S. has led the world in aviation innovation. eVTOL aircraft represent the next frontier of innovation for the aviation industry and present huge potential upside for consumers as well as the U.S. economy.
Archer said they’ve made it a point from day one to work collaboratively with the FAA and are excited about their progress toward ensuring the U.S. continues to lead the charge in bringing a safer, quieter, more accessible and sustainable form of transportation to market in 2025.
