Archer Aviation’s (Palo Alto, Calif., U.S.) composites-intensive electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) demonstrator aircraft, Maker, completed its first successful hover flight. The flight marks the company’s first full and complete systems test and validation of every hardware and software component to successfully move the aircraft into the air. The flight test was completed at 10:30 a.m. PT on Dec. 16 (14 days after Maker received its Special Airworthiness Certificate) and also resulted in the successful checkout of the company’s flight control system in flight, as well as the end-to-end close of flight software. Archer says it will move forward with an ongoing extensive flight test campaign into 2022 and beyond.

In November, Archer’s dedicated flight test team, consisting of experts in flight test, battery, propulsion, flight controls, software and avionics, moved from the company’s headquarters in Palo Alto to a new flight test facility to prepare for this milestone. Over the past two months, the team has been focused on Maker’s integration and ground testing in order to prepare the aircraft for a successful first hover flight, as well as ensuring it meets the FAA’s standards for airworthiness certification.

After being fully integrated, Maker was moved into its ground testing phase, which included verification of the control and propulsion systems, along with driving the motors at full power, and then putting those motors through stress testing to ensure all systems were operational and ready to withstand flight testing. After completing an untethered test, during which the Archer team verified that the entire propulsion and flight control system was functioning correctly, Archer’s flight test team approved the aircraft for its first flight.

“The past six months has been an incredible journey, from unveiling Maker, to watching it take its first flight,” says Brett Adcock, Archer co-founder and co-CEO. “It’s been humbling to build a leading eVTOL company and educate the public on clean transportation alternatives. [This is a] milestone for both Archer and the future of travel. I’m proud of this exceptional team.”

As Archer flies into the new year, this testing campaign will broaden to include hover envelope expansion, advancing Maker’s design capabilities and reaching higher altitudes. Following the hover expansion, the team will begin the transition envelope expansion ensuring Maker is able to move from hover to forward flight. While expanding Maker’s test flights, Archer also plans to unveil its piloted, four-seat production-intent aircraft in 2023.

“Everything we’ve accomplished this year, every milestone hit and partnership struck, was all with one goal in mind: developing both an aircraft and a UAM ecosystem that could scale and change the face of intra-city travel,” shares Adam Goldstein, Archer co-founder and co-CEO. “With our first hover flight now completed, we’re one major step closer to that goal and have proven that Archer can work at a fast pace without sacrificing safety or quality. Our team stands ready to continue that pace as we work toward launching an aerial ridesharing service in late 2024.”