FutureFlight
Archer Tells Shareholders It Is on Track with eVTOL Aircraft Development Plans
The California-based start-up reported that it began 2022 with $746.9 million in cash reserves as it stepped up work to bring a four-passenger eVTOL aircraft to market.
Archer's Maker eVTOL technology demonstrator aircraft conducting a hover flight.
Archer has completed an initial hover flight with its Maker eVTOL technology demonstrator and later in 2022 expects to achieve a full transition to cruise flight. (Image: Archer)

Archer says it expects to achieve the first full transition from hover to cruise flight with its Maker eVTOL technology demonstrator during the second half of 2022. In a March 14 letter to shareholders, the company reported that it is building a second example of the subscale two-seat Maker that should be ready for flight testing by year-end, by which time it aims to also have secured an FAA G-2 issue paper establishing the type certification means of compliance for its four-passenger production aircraft.

According to the latest program timeline, Archer will unveil the production aircraft in 2023, when it expects to also fully validate its powertrain system and launch the application that passengers will use to book flights. Type certification is still anticipated for 2024, and the company is aiming to have its Part 135 operator’s certificate in hand by then.