On Monday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) told Archer Aviation what it needs to do to make sure its M001 air taxi is safe to fly before it can be certified for use.
The FAA put out the criteria for Archer’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft so that the public could comment on them. The FAA made a similar announcement about Joby Aviation’s Model JAS4-1 eVTOL in November. Archer said earlier this month that it wants the FAA to approve its eVTOL by the end of 2024.
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Archer said earlier this month that its eVTOL completed its first full transition flight on Nov. 29. This was less than a year after its first hover flight, which came after several months of testing.
Archer, which is backed by United Airlines and Stellantis NV, said in October that it wants to make about 250 battery-powered air taxis by 2025 and then increase production in the years after that.
People have said that eVTOL aircraft could be used as air taxis in cities in the future. A lot of people are very interested in the low-altitude urban air mobility aircraft.
The FAA announced in May that it was changing its regulations because rules designed for traditional planes and helicopters “did not anticipate the need to train pilots to operate powered-lift aircraft, which take off in helicopter mode, switch to aeroplane mode for flying, and then switch back to helicopter mode for landing.”
According to the FAA, the Archer eVTOL “will be much quieter than turboshaft engines and rotors used in most helicopters.” Because of this, birds will have less evidence that the
As a result, “the FAA recommends a more comprehensive bird strike requirement.”
Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) put $60 million into Joby in October. This was part of a partnership that will help passengers get to and from airports in New York and Los Angeles.
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Joby said in November that, after getting approval from the FAA, it now plans to start commercial passenger air taxi service in 2025. Joby has said before that it plans to open for business in 2024.
