Archer Aviation The Midnight reached an altitude of 2.1 kmArcher Aviation
The Midnight, an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft built by American company Archer Aviation, recently completed its highest flight, reaching an altitude of 2,100 meters (m) during a 72-hour journey, at a maximum speed of 193 kilometers per hour (km/h). If repeated in further tests, the result could mean flights are possible in cities with tall buildings. Similar vehicles are under development at other companies, including Brazil’s Embraer (see Pesquisa FAPESP issue n° 351). They are designed to operate at between 450 and 1,200 meters altitude, below the range of commercial aircraft, which fly at between 9,000 and 13,000 meters above sea level. Powered by lithium-ion batteries, the Midnight completed its longest flight in August, covering 86 km in 31 minutes, at speeds of up to 203 km/h. The test results could facilitate approval by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate in the country’s airspace (LiveScience, October 1).
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