High above the sunny fields of Salinas, California, a futuristic electric aircraft named Midnight carved through the sky last week, marking a pivotal moment for Archer Aviation. This wasn’t just another test flight—it was the first time a human pilot, Archer’s chief test pilot Jeff Greenwood, took the controls of the Midnight eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft). Reaching speeds of 125 mph and climbing to 1,500 feet, the flight showcased the aircraft’s ability to perform a conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL), rolling down a runway like a traditional plane.
With 12 wing-mounted tilting propellers and six battery packs, it can carry a pilot and four passengers at speeds up to 150 mph over a range of 100 miles. Unlike helicopters, which guzzle fuel and roar through the air, Midnight runs on electricity, promising a quieter, greener alternative. Its ability to take off and land both vertically (like a helicopter) and conventionally (like a plane) makes it versatile, capable of operating from urban vertiports or traditional runways. This dual capability is key, as Archer’s CEO Adam Goldstein explained: “Midnight’s VTOL and CTOL capabilities are a strong differentiator for us as they are critical for delivering an aircraft that can integrate into a wide range of operational scenarios while also providing enhanced safety.”
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Midnight had already demonstrated its VTOL skills in late 2023, lifting off and landing straight up and down. The focus this time was on proving the robustness of its landing gear during a conventional takeoff and landing, a test that ensures the aircraft can handle the stresses of rolling along a runway. Greenwood, a former Bell Textron test pilot and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, described the experience as seamless: “Flying Midnight felt just like flying the simulator—everything responded exactly as we trained for, which is exactly what you hope for during a test flight.”
This matters because Archer isn’t just building an aircraft; it’s laying the groundwork for a new kind of transportation network. A short flight from Manhattan to JFK Airport in under 10 minutes for about $200 could become a reality sooner than latter, bypassing the gridlock of New York’s streets. That’s the vision Archer is chasing, with plans for air taxi services in cities like New York and Los Angeles, and even across the UAE. Archer’s deal with the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games, where its Midnight aircraft will shuttle VIPs and back up emergency services, is a bold bet on making urban air taxis mainstream.
Its Covington, Georgia factory is set to churn out 10 Midnight eVTOLs in 2025—a small batch, but a big step toward Archer’s dream of pumping out 2,000 a year by decade’s end, with heavy hitters like Stellantis and United Airlines backing the push.
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