Air taxi maker Archer hires FAA’s Nolen as its eVTOL safety chief

Archer Aviation, one of the companies driving the nearing launch of air taxi services, has announced its hiring of former top Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) official Billy Nolen to oversee safety operations in the continued development of its electric vertical takeoff and landing plane (eVTOL).

Archer broke the news Tuesday, saying Nolen had been hired to the post of chief safety officer of the Santa Clara, California-based eVTOL maker. Nolen ­­– who assumed the role of FAA Acting Administrator two months after top official Steve Dickson resigned in February of 2022 – tendered his own resignation last April ahead of what Reuters recently reported would be his arrival at the air taxi manufacturer.

Nolen, a trained pilot who has served in a variety of positions in armed forces and civilian aviation, left the FAA last week amid prolonged vacancies at the top of the agency, as political battles confound the appointment of Biden…