Archer Aviation Gains FAA Compliance for Midnight, Targets H2 Public Flights and UAE Launch
Archer Aviation achieved final FAA acceptance of 100% of Midnight’s means of compliance, marking the first eVTOL to reach that milestone and unlocking next steps toward type inspection authorization this year. The company is expanding piloted VTOL tests throughout 2026, targeting public flights in U.S. cities under the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program and UAE commercial launches, while its global backlog exceeds billions with seven major airlines and new partners including Saudi PIF.
1. Certification Milestone
Archer secured the FAA’s final acceptance of 100% of Midnight’s means of compliance, positioning it as the first eVTOL to achieve this certification benchmark and paving the way for type inspection authorization later this year. Management expects to finalize remaining certification plans in coming quarters to support commercial operations.
2. Flight Test Progress
The company entered the piloted VTOL and transition phase, complementing prior unpiloted VTOL and CTOL testing. Archer completed piloted CTOL flights covering over 50 miles, durations exceeding 30 minutes at altitudes above 10,000 feet, and speeds surpassing 150 mph, and will expand the flight envelope throughout 2026.
3. Commercialization Plans
Archer will deploy Midnight in U.S. cities through the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, with public flights targeted in the second half of the year, and launch commercial operations in the UAE under a restricted type certificate program. The Los Angeles 2028 Olympics serves as a fixed deadline for infrastructure, certification, and regulatory alignment.
4. Order Book and Partnerships
The global backlog tops billions, backed by seven major airlines and new agreements with the Saudi Public Investment Fund and Serbian government. Archer is also collaborating with Anduril on a hybrid defense VTOL, and integrating software platforms from Palantir, NVIDIA and SpaceX’s Starlink to support autonomy and connectivity.