Sonali Tiwary
Archer Aviation’s Midnight electric aircraft just flew its farthest piloted flight to date. The company announced their aircraft traveled 55 miles in just 31 minutes, reaching speeds over 126 miles per hour during a test flight in Salinas, California.
This marks a big step forward for electric aviation. The flight happened at Archer’s test facility with United Airlines’ Chief Financial Officer Mike Leskinen watching from the ground. Leskinen has been backing Archer since the early days when United first invested in the company.
The week before this record flight, test pilots pushed the Midnight even faster, hitting speeds close to 150 miles per hour during different flying patterns. Four test pilots now fly the aircraft regularly, showing the program is getting more stable and ready for real-world use.
What makes this flight special is how the aircraft took off and landed. Instead of using its vertical takeoff ability like a helicopter, the Midnight used a regular runway takeoff and landing. This approach to evaluate performance during cruise flight as part of a test program, which matters a lot for future commercial operations.
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Adam Goldstein, who founded Archer, watched the flight from the ground. “Crossing the 50-mile mark at speed is another clear step toward commercialization that shows the maturity of our program,” he said after the test.
The pilot flying the aircraft reported smooth handling throughout the 30-minute flight. “Throughout the thirty-minute flight, the aircraft performed consistently, with predictable handling. It was a beautiful day to be behind the controls,” the experimental test pilot shared.
United Airlines continues to show strong support for Archer’s progress. Leskinen praised not just the achievement but also how quiet the aircraft operated. “I’ve been a longtime supporter of bringing sustainable forms of aviation to market. Congratulations to the Archer team on achieving this milestone flight—I was impressed by how quiet the aircraft was,” he said.
The quietness factor could be crucial for getting communities to accept air taxis flying overhead. Traditional helicopters create significant noise that bothers people living and working below flight paths. Electric aircraft like the Midnight promise much quieter operations.
This successful test flight pushes Archer closer to getting approval from the Federal Aviation Administration, which must certify the aircraft before passengers can ride. The company is working through what aviation experts call “envelope expansion” – gradually testing the aircraft’s limits for speed, distance, and different flight conditions.
While pursuing FAA certification for US operations, Archer is also preparing for earlier commercial launches overseas. The company has announced plans for a “Launch Edition” program in the United Arab Emirates, where regulations may allow passenger flights sooner than in America.
The UAE market could give Archer valuable real-world operating experience before launching in the United States. Many aviation companies use this strategy, proving their technology in markets with more flexible regulations first.
Archer selected as the exclusive air taxi provider for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics earlier this summer. This partnership gives the company a high-profile target for getting passenger operations running in America.
The company’s manufacturing is also ramping up across the United States. Archer has been building production capacity while advancing their test program, preparing for the day when they can build aircraft for commercial service rather than just testing.
Electric air taxis promise to revolutionize short-distance travel in crowded urban areas. Instead of sitting in traffic for an hour, passengers could fly across a city in minutes. The technology also produces zero direct emissions, making it cleaner than traditional helicopters or small aircraft.
However, several challenges remain before air taxis become common. Battery technology still limits how far these aircraft can fly. Charging infrastructure needs to be built at landing sites. Air traffic control systems must adapt to handle many more aircraft flying at low altitudes.The 55-mile flight shows meaningful progress toward solving the range challenge. As battery technology improves and aircraft become more efficient, longer flights will become possible. This could expand air taxi services beyond just city centers to connect suburban areas with urban cores.
