SALINAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR) today announced that its Midnight aircraft successfully completed its highest altitude flight to date, reaching altitudes of 7,000 feet. The flight took off from Archer’s test facility in Salinas, CA, and represents the latest milestone in Midnight’s envelope expansion testing program.
A look inside the cockpit of Midnight during the record flight
This flight marked one in a series of upcoming aircraft performance test flights designed to test and showcase Midnight’s operational range. eVTOL aircraft, like Midnight, are primarily intended to operate in and around cities at altitudes between 1,500 and 4,000 feet. However, having the operational capability to operate at higher altitudes provides flexibility for managing air traffic in high-density environments and allows these aircraft to be able to operate in certain cities at elevation.
During this flight, Midnight’s test pilot conducted a steady climb after takeoff, leveled off at altitude, then continued to fly for 45 miles in total at speeds in excess of 120 mph. The achievement follows last month’s record-setting flight in which Midnight covered approximately 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.”
Together, these accomplishments underscore the aircraft’s readiness as Archer advances toward FAA certification in the U.S. and near-term commercialization in the UAE.
About Archer
Archer is designing and developing the key enabling technologies and aircraft necessary to power the future of aviation. To learn more, visit www.archer.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward looking statements regarding Archer’s future business plans and goals, including statements regarding Archer’s aircraft performance, and Archer’s plans to develop, certify and commercialize its aircraft. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual results due to a variety of factors. The risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from the results predicted are more fully detailed in Archer’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, available at www.sec.gov. In addition, please note that any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on assumptions that Archer believes to be reasonable as of the date of this press release. Archer undertakes no obligation to update these statements as a result of new information or future events.
Source: Archer Aviation
Text: ArcherIR
Source: Archer Aviation