An electric air taxi made by Archer Aviation has made an intercity round trip between Salinas and Monterey in California that cut the journey down to nine minutes from 35 in a car.
Otherwise known as an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle, the upcoming transport option is aimed at delivering short-haul flights in urban areas. However, it’s one thing building an aircraft and another getting it certified for flight. This is an area where many eVTOL companies are struggling: getting past the testing stages into operation because of stringent regulations and safety rules.
The Archer-made eVTOL known as Midnight departed from Salinas Municipal Airport and landed at Monterey Regional Airport before making the return flight on 30 July.
Midnight covered each leg of the journey in roughly nine minutes, a trip that can take over 35 minutes by car depending on traffic. The air taxi is designed to enable passengers to replace 60-90 minute trips on the ground with quiet, all-electric...