Renowned for its pioneering efforts in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, Archer Aviation is reshaping the future of urban air mobility. In an exclusive interview with Aviation 360, Nikhil Goel, COO of Archer Aviation, shares his insights on the company’s vision, technological advancements, and the challenges and opportunities in the evolving landscape of urban air mobility. Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of eVTOLs and discover how Archer Aviation is making strides towards a more connected and sustainable future.
Can you elaborate on the key milestones and significance of the framework agreement signed between Archer Aviation Inc. and Abu Dhabi, particularly in accelerating the launch of electric air taxi operations in the UAE?
Yes, this agreement covers planned multi hundred-million dollar investments to accelerate Archer’s planned commercial air taxi operations in the UAE including operations, training across the region and more. The funding enables Archer and our partners which include Falcon Aviation, Air Chateau, GAL-AMMROC and others to accelerate our commercial launch in the emirates.
What key components are included in the collaboration between Archer and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), and how do these components contribute to the advancement of urban air mobility infrastructure in the region?
Key components of Archer’s collaboration with ADIO include support for vertiport construction, operational enablement for air taxi operations in the UAE, and in-country manufacturing of Archer’s Midnight aircraft. Under the agreement, ADIO will also ensure local workforce development programmes for Emirati talent and facilitate the establishment of Archer’s international headquarters and Centre of Excellence in Abu Dhabi.
How does Archer plan to leverage this support and to enhance the UAM and AAM industry within the Middle East sector?
Partnering with ADIO provides Archer with the critical in-region support across the entire ecosystem from operations to pilot training to infrastructure and beyond. Establishing a thriving urban air mobility operation in Abu Dhabi and Dubai will position the UAE as a global leader on this front and serve as a showcase to the rest of the Middle East, and the world, of how this technology is capable of unlocking tremendous value for the communities it serves.
“Establishing a thriving urban air mobility operation in Abu Dhabi and Dubai will position the UAE as a global leader on this front and serve as a showcase to the rest of the Middle East, and the world.”
What role will vertiports play in enhancing the urban air mobility infrastructure in Abu Dhabi, and how does ADIO plan to support their development in collaboration with Archer and other air taxi operators?
Under this agreement, ADIO plans to support the development of vertiports, in collaboration with Archer and other air taxi operators, in critical locations throughout Abu Dhabi, enhancing the urban air mobility infrastructure necessary for Archer to scale operations.
Archer Aviation’s entry has undoubtedly caused disruption in the industry. What immediate actions do you plan to take?
ADIO and Archer plan to continue to work with Archer’s partners to accelerate the company’s progress in the region. With the support of its early investor and UAE’s sovereign wealth fund Mubadala, Archer’s partner operators Falcon Aviation and Air Chateau, and GAL-AMMROC have announced plans to provide maintenance, repair and overhaul support for Archer’s eVTOL aircraft as well as infrastructure.
Could you discuss the collaboration between Archer and its partner operators, Falcon Aviation and Air Chateau, as well as GAL-AMMROC, in providing maintenance, repair, and overhaul support for Archer’s eVTOL aircraft in the UAE?
GAL-AMMROC and Archer have agreed to plans to utilize GAL-AMMROC’s MRO expertise to service Archer’s Midnight aircraft. Electric Skies: Improvements in motors and battery technology.
What are some of the trends you predict?
Battery technology has been consistently improving around 7% each year. That means we can apply the performance increases that batteries are poised to achieve over the next few years to help increase Midnight’s speed, range or payload capacity.
How does Archer plan to ensure the safety and efficiency of its electric air taxi operations in Abu Dhabi, and what measures are in place to address regulatory and logistical challenges?
Safety is Archer’s top priority. We’ve made tremendous progress on our certification efforts with the FAA for Midnight and are working with the GCAA as well. Certifying Midnight with both these regulatory bodies ensures it will operate at high standards of safety.
Looking ahead, what are Archer’s long-term goals and vision for urban
air mobility in Abu Dhabi and beyond, and how do you plan to continue collaborating with ADIO and other stakeholders to achieve these?
Archer’s mission is to unlock the skies, freeing city streets from traffic. To realize this mission, eVTOL will take urban transportation from the street to the skies, enabling city residents to fly over traffic.
Archer’s urban mobility transportation network will eventually help ease mass dependence on cars in cities by letting residents replace 60-90 minute car rides in traffic with a 10-15 eVTOL ride in the sky that is safe, low noise and with prices competitive with ground based ride
sharing.
It will integrate into existing mass transit systems to complement and dramatically expand the functionality of a city’s transportation options.
In the first few years, we think operations will be limited to select markets, but we believe our service will expand dramatically to the point where 10 years from now, there could be an extremely high-volume of operations across the world’s largest cities.
