Archer has begun the next phase of flight testing for its Midnight aircraft, this time with a pilot on board. This follows years of autonomous testing that confirmed the performance of its 12 tilt-6 VTOL configuration.

The aircraft reached speeds of up to 125 mph and flew at over 1,500 feet above ground level. A conventional take-off and landing were performed to demonstrate the strength of Midnight’s landing gear, which supports both vertical and conventional operations.

This CTOL capability is seen as key to improving operational safety and flexibility. Civil and defence customers, along with regulators, have supported its inclusion during design and certification.

During this piloted phase, Archer’s test team will assess flight controls, stability and aerodynamic models, while collecting certification data for use in the US and UAE.

CEO and founder Adam Goldstein says: “Put simply, the performance of Midnight continues to demonstrate the strengths of our design decisions for this aircraft platform. Midnight’s VTOL and CTOL capabilities are a strong differentiator for us as they are critical for delivering an aircraft that can integrate into a wide range of operational scenarios while also providing enhanced safety.”

The flight was conducted by Archer’s chief test pilot Jeff Greenwood, who joined in 2021 and was previously with Bell Textron. Greenwood also served 13 years as a pilot in the United States Marine Corps.

“Flying Midnight felt just like flying the simulator—everything responded exactly as we trained for, which is exactly what you hope for during a test flight,” says Greenwood. “That level of consistency is no surprise. It’s a testament to the engineering and operational excellence of our team, whose attention to detail and dedication to safety made this milestone possible.”