Archer Aviation, set to launch air taxis in the UAE next year, has announced a significant step towards this goal by recruiting and training pilots for its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. This initiative brings the company closer to making air taxi operations a reality in the region.
Partnership with Etihad Aviation Training
The US-based Archer Aviation has partnered with Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Aviation Training (EAT) to identify and train prospective pilots for its Midnight aircraft. EAT, renowned for its comprehensive training courses for airport, pilot, and cabin crew staff, lists major carriers such as Etihad Airways, Wizz Air, AirArabia, flydubai, and Oman Air among its industry partners and customers.
Significant Investments and Infrastructure Development
In April, Archer Aviation secured multi-hundred-million dollar investments from Abu Dhabi aimed at manufacturing the Midnight aircraft in the UAE and establishing its international headquarters in the Emirates. These investments also support the construction of vertiports in key locations across Abu Dhabi, accelerating the launch of commercial air taxi operations next year.
Efficiency and Innovation with the Midnight Aircraft
Archer’s Midnight aircraft promises to revolutionise urban travel by reducing commute times from 60-90 minutes by car to just 10-20 minutes via electric air taxi. Designed as a piloted, four-passenger aircraft, the Midnight is capable of rapid back-to-back flights with minimal charge time between journeys.
Local Expertise and Regulatory Compliance
EAT will provide local expertise and guidance to ensure that pilot training meets the standards set by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and other local authorities in the UAE. This collaboration aims to establish robust training requirements for the new fleet of eVTOL pilots.
Statements from Leadership
Nikhil Goel, Chief Commercial Officer at Archer Aviation, emphasised the importance of pilot training for the success of the urban air mobility network in the UAE. “Training a fleet of pilots to operate our aircraft is a critically important part of our efforts to establish a thriving urban air mobility network in Abu Dhabi and the rest of the UAE. We will commence a thoughtful recruiting process and begin to train the first class of qualified pilots to operate Archer’s Midnight aircraft for commercial operations within the region,” he said.
Captain Paolo La Cava, CEO of Etihad Training, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership with Archer Aviation. “We couldn’t be more excited to choose Archer as our first eVTOL partner to recruit and train the first class of electric air taxi pilots to fly Archer’s Midnight aircraft right here in Abu Dhabi as soon as 2025. We look forward to installing the Archer Midnight flight simulator in our facilities later this year,” he stated.
This collaboration marks a pivotal development in the advancement of urban air mobility in the UAE, setting the stage for the future of efficient, sustainable, and innovative air travel.
