Airworthiness Criteria Published for Archer’s Midnight eVTOL Aircraft

Archer becomes only the second company in the eVTOL industry to be published in the Federal Register by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) By Joe Macey / 21 Dec 2022
Follow AAMi

Archer Aviation has announced the proposed Airworthiness Criteria for its Midnight aircraft has been published in the Federal Register by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), believed to be a significant milestone towards commercializing urban air mobility (UAM) in the U.S.

As part of the FAA’s Type Certification process for special class aircraft, the Airworthiness Criteria (the certification requirements for the particular aircraft) must be published in the Federal Register. Following the comment period, the FAA will finalize the Airworthiness Criteria for Archer’s Midnight aircraft. 

Adam Goldstein, Archer’s Founder and CEO, said: “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. Today’s publication of our Airworthiness Criteria in the Federal Register is further validation of our strategy and our leadership position in the market.”

Eric Wright, Head of Certification at Archer, commented: “Synchronizing the design of our Midnight aircraft with our certification efforts has long been a cornerstone of our commercialization strategy. This ‘design for certification’ approach has enabled our timeline by allowing us to prioritize decisions that optimize our aircraft for FAA compliance. The FAA has been an invaluable partner in this journey, as evidenced by the recent publication of our airworthiness criteria to the Federal Register. This is yet another important step forward as we continue to build on our growing momentum towards Type Certification and the launch of commercial business operations.”

According to Archer, Midnight is designed to be safe, sustainable, quiet, can carry four passengers plus a pilot, with an expected payload of over 1,000 pounds, and is optimized for back-to-back 20-mile trips, with a charging time of approximately 10 minutes in between trips

Archer is working to certify Midnight with the FAA in late 2024 and will then use it as part of its UAM network, which it plans to launch in 2025.

Posted by Joe Macey Edited by Joseph Macey, Editor and Copywriter and experienced journalist with an active interest in advanced air mobility. Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

Skyportz Showcases Modular Vertipad Concept for Urban eVTOL Operations

Skyportz has revealed an animation of its patented modular vertipad, created by Vertiport Simulations for the Paris Airshow, addressing downwash, outwash, and fire suppression challenges in urban vertiports

Jun 20, 2025
Strategic eVTOL Partnership Targets Urban Air Mobility in Brazil & the US

Eve Air Mobility and Future Flight Global partner to deploy up to 54 eVTOLs across Brazil and the US, advancing sustainable urban air transport

Jun 19, 2025
SkyGrid Joins Wisk to Support Generation 6 eVTOL

Wisk Aero has acquired SkyGrid to accelerate autonomous flight development, enhance airspace integration, and support the certification and deployment of its Generation 6 aircraft

Jun 18, 2025
Archer eVTOL Deployment Planned for Indonesian Market

Archer Aviation partners with PT IKN to deploy Midnight eVTOL aircraft in Indonesia, expanding its global Launch Edition program into a key Southeast Asian market

Jun 17, 2025
Eve Air Mobility Outlines eVTOL Program Advancements at Paris Air Show 2025

Eve Air Mobility shares updates on its eVTOL program, including aircraft design refinements, testing progress, and expanded service offerings through its TechCare platform

Jun 16, 2025
New Agreement Supports Vertical eVTOL Global Rollout

Vertical Aerospace and Bristow Group are launching turnkey eVTOL operations, enabling customers to deploy VX4 aircraft without building their own infrastructure

Jun 13, 2025