Archer Completes Maker’s First Full Transition Flight

Rhea-AI Summary

On November 29, 2022, Archer Aviation's Maker successfully completed its first full transition flight, marking a significant milestone in eVTOL aircraft development. This achievement comes less than a year after its first hover flight, demonstrating rapid progress in flight testing. Maker’s configuration features 12 propellers across six booms, transitioning to wing-borne flight at 91 knots (105 mph). The flight program provides critical data to support Archer’s goal of being the first FAA-certified eVTOL operator in the U.S. The upcoming Midnight aircraft is set for certification in 2024.

Positive

• Successful completion of Maker's first full transition flight on November 29, 2022.
• Demonstrated rapid progress in flight testing, achieving this milestone less than a year after its first hover flight.
• Validation of flight physics for the 12-tilt-6 propeller configuration, beneficial for future aircraft development.
• Data from Maker's testing is critical for the certification process of Midnight, expected to seek FAA approval in late 2024.

Negative

• None.

• On Tuesday, November 29, Archer completed Maker’s first full transition flight less than a year after its first hover flight, the culmination of several months of intensive flight testing

• Full transition occurs when the aircraft “transitions” from lift generated by the propellers at low speeds to lift generated by the wing at higher speeds, and the tilt propellers are locked forward in the cruise position

• Maker is one of a small number of full scale eVTOL aircraft in the world to achieve this feat

• This is yet another significant building block as Archer continues its push to be the first company to certify an eVTOL aircraft in the US with the FAA

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR) today announced that Maker successfully completed its first transition to full wing-borne flight on November 29, 2022. Maker has 12 propellers attached to six booms on a fixed wing. All 12 propellers provide vertical lift during take-off and landing. The forward 6 propellers tilt forward to cruise position to provide propulsion during forward flight, with the wing providing aerodynamic lift like a conventional airplane. During this flight, Maker’s tilt propellers were locked in cruise position for the first time and the aircraft flew at a calibrated airspeed of 91 knots (105 mph).

Achieving this full transition milestone is critical to validating the flight physics of Archer’s proprietary 12-tilt-6 propeller configuration that it uses on Maker as well as Midnight, which is the aircraft Archer recently unveiled at its Open House on November 16th and is working to certify with the FAA in late 2024. The success of the Maker flight testing program also demonstrates a number of the key enabling technologies for Midnight, such as the aircraft’s flight control system. The Maker flight test program has generated invaluable data that Archer has leveraged in the development and certification process for Midnight. Archer has made rapid progress on Maker’s flight testing program, completing this transition to fully wing-borne flight in less than 12 months after its first hover flight.

“From day one, Archer’s strategy has always been about finding the most efficient path to commercializing eVTOL aircraft,” said Adam Goldstein, Archer’s Founder and CEO. “The data and experience we’ve gathered from Maker’s rigorous flight testing program has been invaluable to the development and certification path of Midnight, and lends further confidence to our belief that Archer will be the first company to certify an eVTOL aircraft in the US with the FAA.”

“This significant achievement is a testament to the countless hours of design, simulation and wind tunnel testing that our team has conducted behind-the-scenes,” said Dr. Geoff Bower, Archer’s Chief Engineer responsible for overseeing Maker’s flight test campaign. Dr. Bower has over a decade of experience in the eVTOL aircraft industry, during which he has helped design and build four full-scale eVTOL aircraft that have successfully completed flight test campaigns. More technical details from the flight can be found in his recent blog here. “Looking forward to the commercialization of Midnight, we’ll continue to draw upon the incredible findings and lessons learned from Maker’s flight testing program.”

About Archer

Archer is designing and developing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for use in urban air mobility networks. Archer’s mission is to unlock the skies, freeing everyone to reimagine how they move and spend time. Archer's team is based in Santa Clara, CA. To learn more, visit www.archer.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward looking statements regarding Archer’s future business plans and product roadmaps, including statements regarding the development, commercialization, and timelines of its Midnight 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 under the caption "Risk Factors'' in Archer’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2022, and other documents filed by Archer from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), available on the SEC website 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
Text: ArcherIR

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221201005989/en/

Samuel Swanson

sswanson@archer.com

For Investors investors@archer.com

Source: Archer

FAQ

What milestone did Archer achieve on November 29, 2022?

On November 29, 2022, Archer completed Maker’s first full transition flight, a significant milestone in eVTOL aircraft development.

What is the significance of Maker's transition flight for Archer's future plans?

Maker's transition flight validates the flight physics of Archer’s design and provides essential data for the certification of its upcoming Midnight aircraft.

What speed did Maker achieve during its full transition flight?

During its full transition flight, Maker achieved a calibrated airspeed of 91 knots (105 mph).

When is Archer expecting to certify its Midnight aircraft?

Archer aims to certify its Midnight aircraft with the FAA in late 2024.

How does the Maker flight test program contribute to Archer's goals?

The Maker flight test program generates valuable data that aids in the development and certification process for Archer's Midnight aircraft.