Set to commence commercial operations as early as next year, the U.S. "eVTOL leader" obtains crucial regulatory certification
The certificate issued this time is the commercial operation certificate for traditional aircraft. The "Midnight" four-seat eVTOL developed by Archer Aviation still needs further improvement to obtain FAA certification before it can be put into commercial service. Archer Aviation is expected to achieve this as early as next year
Key progress has been made in the "low-altitude economy" in the United States, as electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) manufacturer Archer Aviation has received regulatory approval, bringing commercial operations one step closer.
On Wednesday local time, Archer Aviation announced that the FAA has issued its Part 135 air carrier certificate. The entire certification process took about two years, during which Archer Aviation submitted over 2,000 pages of documents and 14 manuals detailing operational procedures, training, and maintenance.
Obtaining this certificate means that Archer Aviation can participate in commercial operations like traditional aircraft. The company's "Midnight" four-seat eVTOL still needs further refinement and FAA certification before it can be put into commercial service. Archer Aviation expects this to potentially happen as early as next year.
eVTOL is seen as a more environmentally friendly and advanced mode of transportation. Traditional airlines such as United Airlines have placed orders for Archer Aviation's eVTOL in 2021, believing that this new technology can reduce carbon emissions in congested urban areas. Passengers may have the opportunity to travel to airports in major cities by flying cars in the future.
Looking across the United States, Archer Aviation's competitors such as Joby Aviation are ahead in terms of certification, having obtained the Part 135 certificate two years ago and forming partnerships with the U.S. military and Delta Air Lines. However, Archer Aviation's CEO Adam Goldstein believes that Joby Aviation's eVTOL design is simpler, making the certification process smoother.
Archer Aviation currently plans to collaborate with automaker Stellantis to produce hundreds of eVTOLs. The standard "Maker" version has a range of 60 miles and a top speed of 150 miles per hour, while the "Midnight" model extends the range to 100 miles but is typically used for short-haul operations