Sonali Tiwary
Archer Aviation just hit a big milestone. Their electric flying taxi called Midnight completed its first flight with a real pilot at the controls. Chief Test Pilot Jeff Greenwood flew the aircraft at speeds up to 125 mph and reached heights of over 1,500 feet.
What makes this flight special? Until now, Archer had only tested these aircraft without pilots or with remote control. Having a human pilot actually fly the aircraft is a huge step toward making air taxis a reality for everyday travel.
The Midnight isn’t just your typical aircraft. It can take off and land like a helicopter (straight up and down) but can also use a runway like a normal airplane. This means it can work at both heliports and regular airports, giving it more flexibility.
“Flying Midnight felt just like flying the simulator,” said Greenwood. This is exactly what pilots want to hear – that the real thing matches what they practiced on. Before joining Archer, Greenwood flew helicopters for Bell Textron and spent 13 years as a pilot in the Marine Corps.
Why does this matter for you and me? Imagine turning a one-hour drive through traffic into a quick 10-minute flight. That’s what Archer is aiming for with these electric air taxis. The Midnight can carry four passengers plus a pilot on trips of about 20-50 miles. Even better, it can recharge in just 10 minutes between flights.
These air taxis are also surprisingly quiet – about 45 decibels during flight, which is quieter than most household appliances. You’d barely hear it flying overhead from the street.
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Archer’s CEO Adam Goldstein believes their design gives them an edge. “Midnight’s ability to take off both vertically and from runways is a strong advantage. It helps the aircraft work in more situations while also making it safer,” he explained.
The company has made good progress with regulators too. They’ve reached Phase 4 of the FAA’s certification process and already have approvals for training pilots, operating air taxi services, and maintaining their aircraft.
Looking ahead, Archer plans to launch its first commercial flights in the UAE by the end of 2025, followed by Japan in early 2026. They’ve partnered with United Airlines for U.S. operations and have a deal with Japan’s Soracle Corporation for up to 100 aircraft.
With $1.03 billion in cash and growing investor interest, Archer seems well-positioned to help make air taxis a common sight in cities worldwide. The market for these electric aircraft is expected to grow by $9.01 billion by 2029, showing strong confidence in this new way of getting around.
For city dwellers tired of ground traffic, the idea of hopping into an air taxi for a quick, quiet flight across town might soon become an everyday reality rather than science fiction.
