Archer’s electric aircraft hits 126 mph in record 55-mile flight

Archer Aviation has achieved a significant milestone with its Midnight electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, completing its longest piloted flight to date. Conducted in Salinas, California, the flight lasted 31 minutes and covered 55 miles, reaching speeds over 126 mph in Conventional Takeoff and Landing (CTOL) mode. This test demonstrated the aircraft’s range, reliability, and versatility, as it can operate in both CTOL and VTOL modes. The Midnight has also reached speeds nearing 150 mph in other flight patterns, indicating steady progress toward full operational capability. United Airlines, a major partner, celebrated the achievement, highlighting the aircraft’s quiet operation as advantageous for urban air taxi services. Archer’s CEO Adam Goldstein emphasized that surpassing the 50-mile mark at speed marks a clear step toward commercialization. With four test pilots actively flying the Midnight as part of the FAA certification campaign, the company is focused on regulatory approval in the U.S. and plans to