Archer’s Midnight flight test program reaches record heights

Archer Aviation Inc. today announced that its Midnight aircraft successfully completed its highest altitude flight to date, reaching altitudes of 7,000 feet. The flight took off from Archer’s test facility in Salinas, CA, and represents the latest milestone in Midnight’s envelope expansion testing program.

This flight marked one in a series of upcoming aircraft performance test flights designed to test and showcase Midnight’s operational range. eVTOL aircraft, like Midnight, are primarily intended to operate in and around cities at altitudes between 1,500 and 4,000 feet. However, having the operational capability to operate at higher altitudes provides flexibility for managing air traffic in high-density environments and allows these aircraft to be able to operate in certain cities at elevation.

During this flight, Midnight’s test pilot conducted a steady climb after takeoff, leveled off at altitude, then continued to fly for 45 miles in total at speeds in excess of 120 mph. The achievement follows last month’s record-setting flight in which Midnight covered approximately 55 miles in 31 minutes at speeds exceeding 126 mph.

Adam Goldstein, founder and CEO of Archer, said: “I’m proud of the team for consistently proving Midnight’s performance capabilities while maintaining the highest safety standards. Our test pilots will continue to safely and methodically test Midnight’s speed, duration and mission profiles to prepare for early commercial operations.”

Together, these accomplishments underscore the aircraft’s readiness as Archer advances toward FAA certification in the U.S. and near-term commercialization in the UAE.