Archer Aviation Secures FAA Certification for Pilot Training Academy
Date: February 20, 2025
SANTA CLARA, California – Archer Aviation has officially received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification to establish its pilot training academy, allowing the company to train pilots for its upcoming commercial air taxi services featuring the Midnight aircraft. This certification, known as Part 141, positions Archer as a certified flight school.
This is the third FAA certification Archer has obtained to support its air taxi operations, following the acquisition of the Part 135 Air Carrier & Operator Certificate in June 2024 and the Part 145 certification in February 2024. Archer is now working towards the final approval, Part 142 certification, required before it can launch its operations.
The formal presentation of the Part 141 certification took place at Archer’s flight test facility in Salinas, with notable attendees including Archer executives and officials from the FAA’s San Jose Flight Standards District Office.
“This achievement is a testament to the dedication of the Archer team and the FAA’s support. The Part 141 certification enhances our journey towards a commercial launch,” said Tom Anderson, Chief Operating Officer of Archer, focusing on urban air mobility.
The Midnight is an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle capable of carrying four passengers and is designed for short urban trips. Its innovative design incorporates a high-reliability battery system, multiple safety-redundant rotors, and quiet propulsion technology to significantly reduce noise pollution. The aircraft is optimized for rapid flights, minimizing downtime between charges.
Operating at approximately 2,000 feet in the air, the Midnight is engineered to maintain a noise level around 45 A-weighted decibels (dBA), which is approximately 1,000 times quieter than traditional helicopters. This is achieved largely due to its twelve smaller propellers operating at lower tip speeds rather than one large rotor, as well as the orientation of the tilt propellers during forward flight, which aligns with oncoming air flow to further minimize noise impact.
Related Collaboration
In collaboration with Safran, Archer is enhancing the avionics of its Midnight eVTOL, positioning the company strongly in the evolving landscape of urban air mobility.
