"This is an aircraft that has the ability to be scaled up to ultimately become a mass form of transportation." - Adam Goldstein, Founder & CEO
We were recently featured on CNN to discuss our progress in bringing air taxi services to cities across the U.S. With both Part 135 and Part 145 Certifications from the Federal Aviation Administration now in hand, we're excited to eventually bring Archer's mobility service to market with partners like United Airlines once Midnight completes its Type Certification with the FAA.
Welcome back to First Move. And on the UP, you're looking at the take off of a flying taxi by Archer Aviation, which says it can ferry passengers from places like New York JFK Airport to Manhattan in just a matter of minutes. The EV toll aircraft, called Midnight, seats a pilot and four passengers, and it takes off like a helicopter and flies like a plane. As you're seeing on pure electric power, the Midnights range is nearly 160 kilometres with a top speed of around 240 kilometers per hour. And now the Federal Aviation Administration has granted Archer permission to operate an on demand air taxi service, having already obtained its airworthiness criteria. All that remains is the granting of type certification before flights can start. We'll explain that, don't worry. And that's good news for partners like Still Lantis, the US Air Force and, crucially, United Airlines. United hopes to buy $1.5 billion worth of aircraft, while Archer's latest quarterly results show it has $4 million cash on hand. Sounds like a strong start for the start up. And Adam Goldstein is Archers founder and CEO, and he joins us now. Adam, fantastic to have you back on the show. Congratulations. First and foremost, my understanding of this is there's two effective tracks. There's the certification of the airline itself and then the certification of the plane. So explain what the FAA has granted you today and what you still need. Yeah. Well, thank you very much, and it's great to be back. So this was a really exciting milestone for the company. So since I started the company, we've really been focused on these two tracks. And so you need to 1st build the airline and get that certified so that you can fly passengers all over the country and really all over the world. And we can do that with our partners like United Airlines. And then the second tract is to certify the aircraft itself, and that will enable mass production of these vehicles. And so we're in the final stages of the ladder. And what we announced was getting our operating certificate to launch the airline with the FAA. And so this is a really big milestone. It will enable us to be able to start flying in cities like New York City or Los Angeles or San Francisco. OK. So you, you say the latter one now is what we're waiting for. Have you filed all the information and all the data? Is it simply a case now of of waiting for the FAA to come through or is there more work that has to be done? I guess I'm trying to get a sense of timing. I know you're waiting on them, but have you done all the work on your side? Yeah. So we are in the process of going through the testing phase with the FAA. So we've set up all the criteria and we filed all the paperwork and now we're going through and testing all that. So first you start testing all your subsystems and you approve all the systems themselves work and then you put them in the aircraft and you start testing the aircraft itself. And so we're in that final phase with the FAA going through that and our hope is to get through it as soon as possible. I mean the initial target I remember was 2025, is that still the target? Yeah, that's still the target. So what's really been amazing as there has been, you know, a lot of excitement all over the world for this product. And so we've seen a lot of international markets also really lean in too. And so the UAE has been especially excited about this. And so we've announced a lot of partnerships all over the world, but specifically in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, there's been a lot of really countrywide level organization to really help launch this entire network. And that could end up being one of the early launch cities, launch markets in the world. Interesting. So watch this. Space, OK, so let's assume that the regulation is on track and we're looking at 2025, whether that's in the United States or to your point in, in the UAE. What about manufacturing these things? Cause I mentioned the cash that you have on hand for a reason. We know this is an expensive business. How many planes do you have the capabilities of manufacturing in 2025 at this stage based on your plans? I know we've got California and you've got Georgia. What about even manufacturing in, in the UAE or in the Middle East or even Europe potentially? Two. So the good news is that we took a capital light approach to building the manufacturing process. So the first thing we did was partner with a lot of the Tier 1 aerospace suppliers, so companies like Garmin or Honeywell or Saffron, so groups that have spent a long time and a lot of money developing a lot of the different subsystems. The next thing we did was partner with Stellatus, which is one of the largest auto OEM's in the world. They make Jeep, Ram, Maserati, so you know, millions of cars per year. We've worked together with Stellatus to help stand up our manufacturing plant. In Georgia, that plant will come online this year and has the capabilities of manufacturing up to 650 planes per year. And so there's a lot of potential here to get going. And so you know, when you when you put that all together, we're really looking at the opportunity to start scaling this industry here really in the next year, but also as we expand out into the later parts of the decade. OK. I think we should also take a step back for viewers that aren't familiar with what you're doing and just explain a little bit about what the vehicle comprises, the differences between this and. A helicopter for example. And, and what you with some of the big main partners that you're talking about here envisaged the cost of these flights will be what, what is gonna be the comparison? You're, you're clearly going to save people time, you hope getting them to these places, but what about the cost differential? So the reason why everybody's excited about these aircraft is that they're really structurally better vehicles than helicopters and they're structurally better across three main categories and that safety, noise and cost. And so this is an aircraft that has the ability to be really scaled out to become ultimately amass form of transportation. And so everybody I think universally agrees they would prefer to get to where they're going faster and not use up all their time just sitting in traffic. I think we all can agree on that. And so if that service can be offered to the masses instead of just the very select few that take helicopters today, that would be really pretty incredible. But because these vehicles are electric, they also have a much simpler form. And so these vehicles require less maintenance and they can fly a lot more than helicopters can today. So we can drive the price down and offer them something that's comparable to rideshare even from the very beginning, and drive that down even further over time, ultimately with the goal of being below car ownership. Wow. I mean the the greater accessibility point I think is a vital one too. What about charging though, Adam? I think if we look at the example of electric vehicles, part of the reticence and still is, is building out the infrastructure of of the charging facilities. How do you envisage that working? So we have great partners on charging. So one of our partners is actually another one of the EV tall companies called Beta. And so they've been building charging networks all over the country and soon to be all over the world. So charging is actually pretty similar to the charging we've seen on the ground with EV. So similar types of charging rates and similar types of charging technologies. So we have leveraged a lot of what the automotives have put in place in our existing powertrain from the batteries and the electric engines and we converted that over to a vehicle that can be flown. And so that will enable us to really leverage and use a lot of the existing EV technology charging infrastructure that's out there. Night. By the way, why is it called midnight? Well, that's a great question. My daughter seems to think about something to do with Taylor Swift, Archer, Midnight. There's a lot of crossover there, but really I think it's just a cool name. It's just that it's cool. Ohh. I think I prefer your daughters answer. We'll go with Taylor Swift. Adam, I'm looking forward to hearing from you again when this comes through. And I just want to raise my hand and offer to do test flight, whatever. I'm very excited about this. I know it's quieter as well, which is a key point compared to helicopters too, which is important. And Adam, great to chat to you. Thank you so much and have a great weekend. Founder and CEO of Archer Aviation there.
To call UAM mass transportation, you need to compare it to train or bus networks. BART moves 168K people daily. To match that, UAM would need 42K flights a day with 4 pax onboard. This would cause massive airspace congestion. The whole US airspace serves to 45K+ flights a day. So, the idea that UAM can be mass transit just doesn't hold up.
Adam Goldstein How do we get you to test/operate in Huntsville AL metro? Huntsville-Madison-Athens-Decatur is 750sqmi with a large high tech workforce in a sparse metro with cheap land and needs for alternative transport modalities as we outpace our infrastructure.
Love this company and the exciting news that is coming from them. I am waiting in line to purchase a ticket to go to the airport, whether I have a flight or not.
Exciting news! Archer's breakthrough in air taxi services, spotlighted on CNN, marks a significant leap forward. With FAA certifications secured and ongoing Type Certification with Midnight, Archer is poised to revolutionize urban mobility alongside esteemed partners like United Airlines.
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Boeing's once-reliable 737 MAX is facing a PR nightmare freefall. Following the Ethiopian Airlines and Lion Air tragedies, the latest mid-air windowpane blowout on an Alaska Airlines flight adds another layer of concern.
Passengers captured the terrifying incident , highlighting the ongoing quality issues plaguing the MAX. While the plane landed safely, this is just another blow to Boeing's reputation.
Airbus, meanwhile, is capitalizing on Boeing's stumbles. Airlines are increasingly looking towards the A320neo family, putting further pressure on Boeing to address the MAX's woes.
Can Boeing regain trust?
👉 A complete overhaul of the MAX's production and quality control processes is crucial.
👉 Transparency in investigations and addressing past issues is paramount.
👉 Regaining the confidence of airlines and the flying public requires a renewed commitment to safety as a top priority.
#aviation#airlines#Boeing#Airbus#safety#quality#engineering
Why not just ban this Plane for safety reasons. Is it not that Concorde was banned primarily due to safety concerns and environmental impact. What is so special about this Boeing 737 MAX THAT IT CAN NOT BE BANNED
See below article that ;
US allows Boeing 737 MAX flights, bans further production
The US aviation regulator has 737 MAX 9 can start flying again after a mid-air cabin blowout raised safety concerns. However, it also told Boeing to put the plane's production on hold.
The FAA ordered the temporary grounding of Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft after part of a fuselage blew out
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has increased pressure on plane maker Boeing, banning further production of its best-selling 737 MAX narrowbody planes.
However, the FAA did agree to allow the 737 MAX 9 —
grounded after a mid-air blowout — to start flying again after inspections.
How & Why Did The Boeing 777-300ER Outsell The Triple-Seven's Other Variants?
The Boeing 777, a long-range widebody twinjet, has slowly become among the most common long-haul aircraft in the skies today, and remains the largest aircraft operated by two major US carriers: American Airlines, and United Airlines. Since taking to the skies in 1994 and entering service in 1995 with launch customer United Airlines, the Boeing 777 has slowly become a mainstay of long-haul airline fleets.
Read more at:
https://lnkd.in/dYM7SXzj#AviationTalk#aviationnews#avgeek#aviation
Shortage of aircraft hits airlines hard
Thanks to COVID and supply chain woes, airlines like Virgin Australia are struggling to get their hands on new planes, leaving them in a tight spot.
Virgin's order of Boeing 737 MAX 8s is delayed, forcing them to fly older, less efficient planes for longer. Not good for business or the environment!
But wait, there's more! Virgin Regional Airlines is eyeing replacements for its aging Fokker F100s, with options like the Airbus A220 and the Embraer E190E2 in the mix.
Check out the latest issue of Australian Aviation Magazine for all the juicy details and Jake's take on the Boeing situation.
#aviation#avgeek#aviationlovers#australianaviation#aircraft#aviationgeek#instagramaviation#instaaviation
🔍 FAA Increases Oversight on Boeing Amid Safety Concerns ✈️
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is intensifying its scrutiny of Boeing's 737-9 Max production following the recent Alaska Airlines incident. A door plug panel detachment raised manufacturing and safety concerns, prompting the FAA to ground approximately 171 Boeing aircraft. The agency will audit the production line and suppliers, evaluate quality assurance compliance, and assess safety risks associated with delegated authority. FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker emphasizes the need to re-examine authority delegation amid multiple production-related issues. Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun acknowledges the importance of every detail in addressing safety matters. The FAA's proactive approach reflects a commitment to reducing risks and ensuring air travel safety. 🛫 #LifeWorkSearch#AviationSafety #FAA#QualityAssurance
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☆What is part 121 in aviation?
Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 121 Certification allows a company to act as a scheduled airline. As a result, the air carrier may publish a schedule and is able to collect compensation for providing group jet charter charter flights .
☆What does Part 145 mean in aviation?
The term Repair Station refers to a maintenance facility that has a certificate issued by the FAA under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations ( 14 CFR ) Part 145 and is engaged in the maintenance, inspection, and alteration of aircraft and aircraft products.
🛫 CERTIFICATION UPDATE | We're excited to share that we’ve received FAA certification to begin operating as an airline. By receiving our Part 135 Air Carrier & Operator Certificate, we are now allowed to begin operating aircraft commercially with airline partners like United Airlines once Midnight achieves its Type Certification. Here are the key takeaways:
✈️ We plan to begin using conventional aircraft now to refine our systems and procedures in advance of launching Midnight into service when we receive Midnight’s Type Certification
📲 We have now received both our Part 145 and Part 135 certificates from the Federal Aviation Administration, which are the two key operational certificates required from the FAA for us to be in a position to begin our air taxi operations when Midnight receives Type Certification
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Lynx Air ceased operations yesterday.
What is an unfortunate event for them, could be a blessing for other Boeing 737 Max operators who are currently scrambling for additional units.
Not only did Lynx Air operate nine B737-8, which will now be available to the market, but it also had another 37 (B737-8 & B737-8-200) of them on order.
Here is an overview of Lynx Air’s current fleet and its value.
It also includes Aircraft Manager Information if you want to know whom to talk to about those units.
The Managers are:
BOC Aviation (3)
SMBC Aviation Capital (3)
AerDragon Aviation (1)
Aergo Capital (1)
High Ridge Aviation (1)
On December 1969, a momentous day in aviation history, a Boeing 747 embarked on its inaugural public preview flight from Seattle, hashtag
#Washington, to hashtag
#NewYork City. This flight served as a glimpse into the future of jumbo-jet airline service. Although the flight carried only 176 passengers, primarily journalists, it showcased the spacious cabin area and the upstairs cocktail lounge. With a size twice that of any previous airliner, the Boeing 747 was poised to revolutionize air travel.
Scheduled to enter regular operation in early 1970, primarily by Pan American World Airways, the aircraft represented a significant investment, costing approximately 28 million dollars, including spare parts. This amount was four times the cost of the original Boeing 707. The demand for the Boeing 747 was evident, with 28 airlines from the United States and overseas having already purchased a total of 185 of these “Jumbo Jets.”
Pan American planned to configure its seating arrangements to accommodate 58 passengers in first class and 304 in economy class. While other airlines considered similar passenger loads ranging from 350 to 375, the hashtag
#Boeing 747 had the potential to carry up to 490 passengers. 🇺🇸
On December 1969, a momentous day in aviation history, a Boeing 747 embarked on its inaugural public preview flight from Seattle, #Washington, to #NewYork City. This flight served as a glimpse into the future of jumbo-jet airline service. Although the flight carried only 176 passengers, primarily journalists, it showcased the spacious cabin area and the upstairs cocktail lounge. With a size twice that of any previous airliner, the Boeing 747 was poised to revolutionize air travel.
Scheduled to enter regular operation in early 1970, primarily by #PanAmerican World Airways, the aircraft represented a significant investment, costing approximately 28 million dollars, including spare parts. This amount was four times the cost of the original Boeing 707. The demand for the Boeing 747 was evident, with 28 airlines from the United States and overseas having already purchased a total of 185 of these “Jumbo Jets.”
Pan American planned to configure its seating arrangements to accommodate 58 passengers in first class and 304 in economy class. While other airlines considered similar passenger loads ranging from 350 to 375, the #Boeing 747 had the potential to carry up to 490 passengers. 🇺🇸
CEO Garuda Aviation
2moThe world is watching you. Archer is the path breaker