Archer Aviation’s two-seat Maker eVTOL technology demonstrator achieved its first hover flight last week, marking the start of a flight-test campaign that is expected to lead to the launch of commercial services with a four-passenger production model in late 2024. The company announced on December 20 that the initial untethered takeoff was achieved at 10.30 a.m. local time on December 16 at its flight-test facility in California, with the flight being used to conduct initial airborne checks on the flight control system and flight software.
Having achieved its commitment to making a first flight before the end of 2021, Archer said its program timeline calls for flight testing of the Maker to be stepped up from now into 2022, at first expanding the hover flight envelope before progressing to the transition from vertical to horizontal cruise flight. Later in 2022, the company plans to unveil its full-size “production-intent” aircraft, which is still at the preliminary design stage.
