Archer eVTOL gets new FAA status
by DRONELIFE Editor Ian M. Crosby
Today, Archer Aviation Inc. announced that the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has granted it a special airworthiness certificate authorizing the company to begin flight testing of its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. With that final threshold to begin above-ground operations passed, Archer is expected to perform its first hover test later this year.
Having already received his FAA G-1 Issue Paper: Certification Basis last September, Archer has worked to maintain a collaborative and transparent relationship with the FAA through the Center for Emerging Concepts & Innovation the Administration and the Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office throughout the certification process.
Archer’s Maker’s inspection took place at the company’s flight test facility in California, where the aircraft is undergoing final preparations for its maiden flight, as well as extensive safety testing. The FAA conducted a full review of Maker to confirm that it meets the administration’s safety standards. Subsequently, the FAA issued Archer its special certificate of airworthiness, indicating that Maker can safely leave the ground and allowing Archer to begin hover test flights with the aircraft.
“Receiving our Special Certificate of Airworthiness from the FAA marks an important moment for our company as we take another step towards our goal of offering eVTOL travel worldwide,” said the co-founder and Archer co-CEO Brett Adcock. “We are pleased to share a commitment with the FAA to create urgently needed air transport solutions. We are grateful to have developed a strong relationship with their Center for Emerging Concepts & Innovation as we continue to work to ensure our eVTOL aircraft adhere to the highest safety and compliance standards. In a year of exciting milestones for Archer, this moment serves as a key validator for the incredible work our team is doing to turn our vision of urban air mobility into reality.
“Our team has worked tirelessly towards this time, and it is a testament to their efforts and dedication that we have passed the formal Maker Inspection and received our Special Certificate of Airworthiness, the latest in a series of certification steps,” said Adam. Goldstein, Archer co-founder and co-CEO. “We have demonstrated the quality and viability of our eVTOL aircraft while maintaining our commitment to safety first, and are now focused on Maker’s first flight tests. We look forward to sharing more exciting achievements in the near future.
Learn more about Archer Aviation, eVTOL aviation infrastructure and the urban air mobility market.
Ian attended Dominican University in California, where he graduated with a BA in English in 2019. With a lifelong passion for writing and storytelling and a keen interest in technology, he now contributes to DroneLife as an editor .
Miriam McNabb is Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a marketplace for professional drone services, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and drone regulatory environment. Miriam has written over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized industry figure. Miriam is a graduate of the University of Chicago and has over 20 years of high tech sales and marketing experience for new technologies.
For advice or writing about the drone industry, email Miriam.
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