The former acting head of the FAA is now overseeing safety at a new electric aircraft company — and it's a good sign for takeoff. Meet Archer's Midnight eVTOL.

Taylor RainsJul 28, 2023, 16:05 IST

Insider's Taylor Rains sits aboard Archer Aviation's upcoming Midnight eVTOL.Taylor Rains/Insider

Electric planemaker Archer Aviation is one of the most promising eVTOL startups in the US.
Overseeing safety is the former acting head of the Federal Aviation Administration, Billy Nolen.

One of the highest authorities on aircraft safety in the US just placed his bets on startup electric planemaker Archer Aviation, representing how close the world could be to this new era of air travel.

In June, former acting head of the Federal Aviation Administration, Billy Nolen, stepped away from the regulator to become Archer's chief safety officer.

While it sounds like mundane news, it actually appears to be a big endorsement for both Archer and the eVTOL market as Nolen has decades of flight experience and likely could have gone to almost any established airline or manufacturer. eVTOL stands for electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle.

Plus, he helped write the framework for eVTOL certification and came up with the FAA program "Innovate 28," which hopes to see thousands of electric aircraft flying throughout the US by the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Fortunately for Archer, that means it is likely now a few steps ahead of the competition: "I don't sign up for losing teams," Nolen told Insider at the Paris Air Show in June.

Archer has already produced a full-sized mockup of its upcoming eVTOL known as Midnight, which Nolen said is still on track to start commercial flights in early 2025 despite some regulatory hiccups.

Insider toured the aircraft in Paris to learn more. Take a look:

Archer unveiled Midnight for the first time in May after two years of testing its prototype known as Maker.

Archer Aviation

Equipped with six pairs of battery-powered propellers, the aircraft will undergo ground testing before its first flight later this summer.

Archer Aviation

The position of the propellers on top of the wings is important for reducing emissions and noise.

Archer Aviation

Lowering noise and carbon pollution is a big draw for airlines that are hoping to get into the growing urban air mobility market.

Archer Aviation

While Midnight checks these boxes, it is also favorable because it is optimally designed to fly between city centers and airports in 10-20 minutes.

Archer Aviation

Moreover, Midnight is designed for winged flight instead of just hovering – making it more efficient.

Taylor Rains/Insider

As far as affordability, Archer CEO Adam Goldstein told Insider that pricing will be around $100 per seat — similar to an Uber.

Uber rider.Mario Tama/Getty

In early 2021, United Airlines purchased $1 billion worth of Midnight eVTOLs and since announced the first proposed route between Manhattan and its Newark airport hub.

Archer and United's route between downtown Manhattan and Newark Liberty International Airport, one of its primary hubs.Archer Aviation

Although United has yet to announce a cabin design, Archer showed off its Midnight interior at the Paris Air Show.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Inside, there were five seats — including four for passengers and one for the pilot.

I sat in one of the seats of the Archer Aviation Midnight.Taylor Rains/Insider

Equipped at each seat were a wireless phone charger, cup holders, and cubbies.

Taylor Rains/Insider

To create a more personalized experience, Archer has included a welcome screen on each seat that displays the assigned customer's name.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Meanwhile, the large windows will give people great views of the world outside, especially those flying out of Manhattan.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Archer is planning to build its fleet of electric planes at a 350,000-square-foot facility in Georgia, producing up to 650 per year.

The proposed Archer Aviation manufacturing facility is pictured in a rendering.Archer Aviation

While Midnight is one of the most promising upcoming eVTOLs, the new type of air travel has created some safety concerns among customers.

Taylor Rains/Insider

However, Nolen told Insider that once Midnight is certified, it "will be the equivalent of flying a Boeing 787 or an Airbus A350."

Boeing 787 Dreamliner.AP

He contended that Midnight is "in many ways safer" because it doesn't deal with hydraulics or pressurization, and its propulsion system is simple with few moving parts and many redundancies.

Taylor Rains/Insider

He contended that Midnight is "in many ways safer" because it doesn't deal with hydraulics or pressurization, and its propulsion system is simple with few moving parts and many redundancies.

Midnight's one caveat is its single-pilot operation, which could impose increased safety risks.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Granted, Midnight is a much smaller and less-complicated craft compared to commercial jetliners — but it's still probably bigger than people expect.

Taylor Rains/Insider

While Archer is clearly turning heads, it is facing strong competition from other startups.

Volocopter's Volocity is a competitor to Archer in the eVTOL market.Taylor Rains/Insider

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The former acting head of the FAA is now overseeing safety at a new electric aircraft company &mdash; and it's a good sign for takeoff. Meet Archer's Midnight eVTOL.

Archer unveiled Midnight for the first time in May after two years of testing its prototype known as Maker.

Equipped with six pairs of battery-powered propellers, the aircraft will undergo ground testing before its first flight later this summer.

The position of the propellers on top of the wings is important for reducing emissions and noise.

Lowering noise and carbon pollution is a big draw for airlines that are hoping to get into the growing urban air mobility market.

While Midnight checks these boxes, it is also favorable because it is optimally designed to fly between city centers and airports in 10-20 minutes.

Moreover, Midnight is designed for winged flight instead of just hovering – making it more efficient.

As far as affordability, Archer CEO Adam Goldstein told Insider that pricing will be around $100 per seat — similar to an Uber.

In early 2021, United Airlines purchased $1 billion worth of Midnight eVTOLs and since announced the first proposed route between Manhattan and its Newark airport hub.

Although United has yet to announce a cabin design, Archer showed off its Midnight interior at the Paris Air Show.

Inside, there were five seats — including four for passengers and one for the pilot.

Equipped at each seat were a wireless phone charger, cup holders, and cubbies.

To create a more personalized experience, Archer has included a welcome screen on each seat that displays the assigned customer's name.

Meanwhile, the large windows will give people great views of the world outside, especially those flying out of Manhattan.

Archer is planning to build its fleet of electric planes at a 350,000-square-foot facility in Georgia, producing up to 650 per year.

While Midnight is one of the most promising upcoming eVTOLs, the new type of air travel has created some safety concerns among customers.

However, Nolen told Insider that once Midnight is certified, it "will be the equivalent of flying a Boeing 787 or an Airbus A350."

He contended that Midnight is "in many ways safer" because it doesn't deal with hydraulics or pressurization, and its propulsion system is simple with few moving parts and many redundancies.

Midnight's one caveat is its single-pilot operation, which could impose increased safety risks.

Granted, Midnight is a much smaller and less-complicated craft compared to commercial jetliners — but it's still probably bigger than people expect.

While Archer is clearly turning heads, it is facing strong competition from other startups.

The former acting head of the FAA is now overseeing safety at a new electric aircraft company — and it's a good sign for takeoff. Meet Archer's Midnight eVTOL.