Archer Partners for eVTOL Pilot Training

Archer and Etihad Training intend to engage with the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and other local authorities to establish an appropriate pilot training curriculum in the UAE By Joe Macey / 21 May 2024
Archer Partners for eVTOL Pilot Training Operations Based in Abu Dhabi
Follow AAMi

Archer Aviation has signed an agreement with Etihad Training that lays the groundwork for a partnership to recruit and train prospective pilots for the company’s Midnight aircraft in Abu Dhabi to fly across the UAE.

An Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was announced at the start of the Future Aviation Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where Archer is showcasing its Midnight aircraft for the first time in the country.

As part of the planned partnership, Archer intends to deliver a Midnight aircraft simulator to be housed and staffed by Etihad Training at its training center in Abu Dhabi for research and development of pilot training competencies, to support the required regulatory certifications. Etihad Training will provide local guidance and expertise as they further engage with the GCAA and other local authorities to establish appropriate pilot training requirements in the UAE all in support of safe and efficient operations of Archer’s aircraft. 

Archer’s Chief Commercial Officer, Nikhil Goel, said; “Training a fleet of pilots to operate our aircraft is a critically important part of our efforts to establish a thriving urban air mobility network in Abu Dhabi and the rest of the UAE, and Etihad Training is the premier organization to partner with on this front. As Etihad Training’s first eVTOL partner, we will commence a thoughtful recruiting process and begin to train the first class of qualified pilots to operate Archer’s Midnight aircraft for commercial operations within the region.”

Etihad Training’s CEO, Captain Paolo La Cava, said; “Etihad Aviation Training today recruits and trains pilots to fly with dozens of global airlines. We couldn’t be more excited to choose Archer as our first eVTOL partner to recruit and train the first class of electric air taxi pilots to fly Archer’s Midnight aircraft right here in Abu Dhabi as soon as 2025. We look forward to installing the Archer Midnight flight simulator in our facilities later this year.”

Archer has been working with various entities within Abu Dhabi and Dubai to accelerate the operation of its air taxi services across the region. Archer sees this latest announcement as another step in the development of the company’s infrastructure within the region.

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

LYNEports Collaborates to Accelerate Sustainable UAM Solutions Worldwide

LYNEports is partnering with Eyrie Aero and ELSA Industry to accelerate worldwide UAM through AI-driven vertiport planning, green hydrogen integration, and scalable eVTOL infrastructure solutions

Jul 11, 2025
Flying Car Owners to Gain Access to New Pilot Training Program

Samson Sky has revealed plans for a pilot training program for Switchblade Flying Car customers and those who just want to earn their 'wings'

Jul 10, 2025
ARC Aerosystems Partnership to Accelerate VTOL Introduction in Japan

AirMobility and ARC Aerosystems have signed an MoU, collaborating to expand ARC’s VTOL aircraft, including the Pegasus 3, and AAM solutions in Japan

Jul 08, 2025
Archer Completes Initial Midnight eVTOL Flight in Abu Dhabi

Archer has launched flight testing of its Midnight eVTOL in Abu Dhabi, advancing certification efforts and preparing for commercial air taxi services in the UAE

Jul 07, 2025
SkyDrive Raises Major Funding to Strengthen eVTOL Certification & Development Efforts

SkyDrive has raised ¥8.3 billion in Pre-Series D funding, led by MUFG Bank and major transport firms, to advance its SD-05 eVTOL aircraft certification

Jul 07, 2025
Skyfly Completes First Airfield-to-Airfield eVTOL Flight in Europe

Skyfly Technologies has completed what is reportedly Europe’s first airfield-to-airfield eVTOL flight using its Axe prototype, flying from Turweston to Bicester and back in a round trip

Jul 04, 2025