Archer Aviation has reached a significant milestone in electric aviation as its Midnight eVTOL aircraft completed its longest piloted flight to date. The achievement comes just two months after the company began its piloted test flights, underscoring rapid progress in its urban air mobility programme.
The record-setting flight took place in Salinas, California, where much of Archer’s testing is conducted. The Midnight remained airborne for 31 minutes, covering a distance of 55 miles with a pilot onboard. Archer highlighted this as the longest flight in the aircraft’s history, demonstrating both the range and reliability of the Midnight design.
The test focused on the aircraft’s Conventional Takeoff and Landing (CTOL) capabilities, although the Midnight is also capable of Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL). During the flight, the aircraft reached a top speed of over 126 mph, with more recent tests showing speeds approaching 150 mph in different flight patterns, signalling steady progress toward full operational capability.
Archer has been at the forefront of the eVTOL industry, aiming to introduce air taxi services in the near future. Earlier this summer, the company was selected as the exclusive air taxi provider for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
United Airlines, a key supporter of Archer, sent CFO Mike Leskinen to witness the milestone flight in person. He praised the aircraft’s performance and quiet operation, a critical factor for urban air taxi services.
Archer CEO Adam Goldstein emphasised the significance of the achievement, stating, “Crossing the 50-mile mark at speed is another clear step toward commercialisation that shows the maturity of our programme.”
Currently, four test pilots are flying the Midnight regularly as part of the company’s FAA certification campaign, bringing Archer closer to achieving approval for commercial operations.