WionDrive News Desk 
Archer Aviation, a California-based company developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, announced on Wednesday that the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted it a certificate to begin commercial operations. This certification, known as Part 135 Certification, makes Archer the second electric air taxi maker to achieve this key milestone, following Joby Aviation’s certification in 2022.
While Archer’s flagship eVTOL aircraft, named “Midnight,” has yet to receive Type Certification from the FAA, which confirms compliance with design and safety standards, the company plans to utilize conventional aircraft to refine its systems and procedures.
Archer, backed by companies such as Stellantis and United Airlines, is among several eVTOL makers aiming to revolutionise urban travel by offering short-haul air travel in congested cities.
However, the industry faces regulatory and technological challenges, such as battery density limitations, which have weighed on the shares of eVTOL makers.
Despite the challenges, large companies continue to invest in eVTOL makers. Earlier this year, carmaker Stellantis increased its stake in Archer, becoming the company’s largest shareholder.
The news of Archer’s Part 135 Certification led to a 3 per cent rise in the company’s shares in morning trade. Nevertheless, Archer’s shares have declined by 47 per cent this year, while Joby Aviation’s shares have fallen by 26.7 per cent.
Archer emerged from stealth mode in spring 2020 after hiring key talent from Wisk and Airbus’ Vahana project, a move that prompted a lawsuit from Wisk for alleged trade secret theft, which was eventually settled late last year. The company has secured a USD 1 billion order from United Airlines for its eVTOL aircraft and a deal with global automaker Stellantis for mass production of its eVTOL craft.
Like Archer, other electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) companies aspire to eventually obtain full approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), but the process is progressing slowly. It may take a few more years before the FAA grants certification to an eVTOL company, which it has yet to do. Changes in the certification process have created uncertainty about commercialisation after the FAA reclassified eVTOL as a “power lift” aircraft rather than an airplane.
Air taxis, sometimes inaccurately referred to as “flying cars” by mainstream media, are essentially helicopters without noisy and polluting gas engines, although they have their own distinct noise profile.
