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Archer Aviation has completed the first test flight of its <\/span>eVTOL<\/a> Midnight<\/a> in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Occurring at Al Bateen Executive Airport, which is a private airport in Abu Dhabi, in early July 2025, the eVTOL\u2019s test flight helps the company monitor how the aircraft performs, what changes they might need to make in its systems, and how it fits into the local airspace, given that the city wants flying taxis to be a norm transport in the area.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n With the pilot flight completed, Archer continues testing Midnight around the UAE to gear up for for commercial services, such as air taxis in the city. The company wants to begin offering rides in Abu Dhabi and other cities once it receives certification from aviation authorities. Archer\u2019s work in the UAE is part of its Launch Edition program, which focuses on starting commercial operations in places that are early adopters of air taxi technology such as Abu Dhabi.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n all images courtesy of Archer Aviation<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Archer\u2019s eVTOL test flight in Abu Dhabi is part of the city\u2019s larger plan to create a hub for smart and autonomous vehicles. The city is in the phase of building new infrastructure, like a hybrid heliport at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal, where flying taxis could land. The government supports these new technologies through a group called the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC) and through the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO). <\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n During the flight of the Archer eVTOL, Abu Dhabi\u2019s government officials alongside aviation leaders and the <\/span>company<\/a> partners came to watch and see how the Midnight works in real UAE conditions, such as high heat, dust, and humidity. Testing in these conditions helps Archer know if the aircraft can perform well and safely in local weather.<\/span><\/p>\n Archer Aviation has completed the first test flight of its eVTOL Midnight in Abu Dhabi<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n For a design overview, the Archer eVTOL tested in Abu Dhabi uses fully electric motors and small rotors, which allow for a quieter ride compared to a helicopter. Midnight comes with six separate, fast-charging battery packs, each one connected to two of Archer\u2019s electric motors. If one battery or motor faces a problem, the others keep working.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Between flights, the aircraft can charge in just a few minutes, so it can carry passengers often and without long delays. Its body is slim and clean, but the wings, bent upwards in a dihedral shape to stabilize its flight, are wide. Midnight can fly up to 240 km\/h and carry one pilot and up to four passengers. For the exterior, the team shapes it by hand using a traditional clay sculpting method from the automotive industry.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n the Archer eVTOL tested in Abu Dhabi uses fully electric motors and small rotors<\/p>\n Midnight comes with six separate battery packs, each one connected to two of the aircraft\u2019s electric motors<\/p>\n front view of the aircraft<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n project info:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n name: Midnight in Abu Dhabi<\/span><\/p>\n company: Archer<\/span><\/a> | <\/span>@flyarcher<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n The post archer\u2019s eVTOL midnight with exterior made of handcrafted clay takes first flight in abu dhabi<\/a> appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Abu Dhabi welcomes FIRST test flight of archer\u2019s eVTOL \u00a0 Archer Aviation has completed the first test flight of its eVTOL Midnight in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Occurring at Al Bateen Executive Airport, which … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[142],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nTesting aircraft in local conditions like high heat<\/h2>\n
Aircraft with handcrafted exterior made of clay<\/h2>\n