Archer eVTOL Granted New FAA Status

by DRONELIFE Staff Writer 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 its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) Maker aircraft. With this final threshold to begin off-ground operations cleared, Archer is set to conduct its first hover flight test later this year.

Previously receiving its FAA G-1 Issue Paper: Certification Basis (G-1 Certification Basis) last September, Archer has worked to maintain a collaborative and transparent relationship with the FAA through the Administration’s Center for Emerging Concepts & Innovation and the Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office throughout the certification process.

The inspection of Archer’s Maker took place at the company’s California flight test facility, where the aircraft is undergoing final preparations for its first flight, as well as extensive safety testing. The FAA carried out a comprehensive review of Maker to confirm that it adheres to the Administration’s safety standards. Afterwards, the FAA issued Archer its Special Airworthiness Certificate, indicating that Maker is safe to leave the ground and allowing Archer to begin hover test flights with the aircraft.

“Earning our Special Airworthiness Certificate from the FAA marks a significant moment for our company as we take another leap ahead toward our goal of bringing eVTOL travel to the world,” said Archer co-founder and co-CEO Brett Adcock. “We’re glad to share a commitment with the FAA to create urgently-needed air transportation solutions. We’re grateful to have developed a strong relationship with their Center for Emerging Concepts & Innovation as we continue to work to ensure our eVTOL aircraft adheres to the highest standards of safety and compliance. In a year of exciting milestones for Archer, this moment serves as a key validator for the incredible work our team is doing to transform our vision for urban air mobility into a reality.”

“Our team has been working tirelessly toward this moment, and it’s a testament to their effort and dedication that we’ve successfully completed the formal inspection of Maker and received our Special Airworthiness Certificate, the latest in a series of certification milestones,” said Adam Goldstein, Archer co-founder and co-CEO. “We’ve demonstrated the quality and viability of our eVTOL aircraft while maintaining our commitment to safety above all else, and we now turn our focus toward the first flight tests of Maker. We look forward to sharing more exciting achievements in the near future.”

Read more about Archer Aviation, eVTOL aircraft infrastructure, and the market for urban air mobility.

Ian attended Dominican University of California, where he received a BA in English in 2019. With a lifelong passion for writing and storytelling and a keen interest in technology, he is now contributing to DroneLife as a staff writer.