Archer Aviation, a developer of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, has announced that its Midnight air taxi prototype has completed its first transitional flight.

A transitional flight is defined as one in which a VTOL aircraft transitions from hovering to horizontal flight. 

Midnight weighs approximately 6,500 lbs (2,948 kg) and is believed to be one of the largest and heaviest eVTOL aircraft to complete a demonstration of transitional flight, which is key to making it commercially viable for carrying passenger loads, according to the company. The aircraft also demonstrated speeds in excess of 100 mph.

The aircraft company’s first full-scale eVTOL aircraft, Maker, first demonstrated transitional flight in November 2022 and is still a part of its flight test program, company officials said.

“Midnight’s flight test program will now continue its progress with plans to fly simulated commercial routes to demonstrate the aircraft’s operational readiness, executing high-rate flight operations, testing additional flight maneuvers that will be used in commercial settings, along with continuing to expand its speed and endurance flight envelope,” the company said.

Source: Archer Aviation