Archer on pace to start eVTOL Maker’s transition flights in 2022

Developer of next generation electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, Archer Aviation, says testing of its Maker air taxi prototype is progressing so well it believes it can start full transition trial flights by the end of this year.

The news from the company is another indication of how rapidly it is advancing the craft toward the goals of certification, production, and launch into service. Archer only received the Federal Aviation Administration’s Special Airworthiness Certificate for Maker in early December, and within three weeks had conducted the first hover flight of its eVTOL air taxi. It has continued what it says have been increasingly ambitious trial runs towards what it now believes will be full vertical-to-horizontal operation before 2022 is out. 

“The advancements we are making in our flight test campaign are nothing short of remarkable,” said Archer CEO Adam Goldstein. “I wake up every day inspired by our…