Electric air taxi maker receives key FAA approval | Wilnesh News

The Federal Aviation Administration has granted Archer Air The key certification will bring the maker of electric air taxis closer to eventually making flying travelers a reality, the company said on Wednesday.

Archer is building electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL) and has won orders and support from the following companies in 2021: United Airlinesthe company said the new technology could reduce carbon emissions.

Businesses have been investing in or ordering electric VTOL aircraft, which can take off and land vertically like helicopters, and developers say they can reduce emissions in congested areas. For example, United said passengers can take them to and from airports in big cities, such as flights between Manhattan and United’s hub in Newark, New Jersey.

“Today we received Part 135 certification, which allows us to effectively become an airline so that we can fly passengers,” Archer CEO Adam Goldstein told CNBC.

The process took Archer about two years: It submitted more than 2,000 pages of documents and 14 manuals outlining operating procedures, training and maintenance.

Now Archer must get its four-passenger aircraft, called Midnight, certified by the FAA, an issue the company is currently studying, Goldstein said. The company estimates the air taxis could be in service as soon as next year. Goldstein said he could not give an exact time frame, but when asked about certification delays for older aircraft models, he noted that Archer’s aircraft are much simpler and have far fewer parts than commercial aircraft.

Archer’s demonstration aircraft, the Maker, can fly 60 miles at a top speed of 150 mph. The company’s Midnight aircraft has a range of 100 miles, but Archer aims to use it for shorter distances.

United Airlines is working with Archer to study options for putting electric aircraft into service.

“It’s not something that can be done with the push of a button,” said Andrew Chang, managing director of United Ventures. “It has to do with how quickly (Archer) is making progress on the operational side and how it fits into our Airport hub to match.”

Archer works with automakers star Produce hundreds of electric air taxis.

Archer’s rivals have also made great strides. Joby Air Obtained Part 135 certificate two years ago, established a partnership with the US Air Force, and won orders and support from the US Air Force Delta Airlines. On Tuesday, Joby said he planned to get The autonomous division of autonomous airline Xwing.

Clarification: Archer’s demo aircraft, the Maker, can fly 60 miles at a top speed of 150 mph. The company’s Midnight aircraft has a range of 100 miles, but Archer aims to use it for shorter distances.