Abu Dhabi, UAE – In a significant leap towards the future of urban air mobility, US-based Archer Aviation announced on Monday the commencement of recruitment and training for pilots to operate its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the Midnight.
This development, in collaboration with Abu Dhabi-headquartered Etihad Aviation Training (EAT), marks a pivotal step towards the launch of air taxi operations in the UAE next year.
Archer Aviation, which is poised to revolutionize urban transport with its eVTOL aircraft, has strategically partnered with EAT to ensure a robust pilot training program.
EAT, renowned for its comprehensive training courses for airport, pilot, and cabin crew staff, lists industry giants like Etihad Airways, Wizz Air, AirArabia, flydubai, and Oman Air among its partners and clients.
Nikhil Goel, Chief Commercial Officer at Archer Aviation, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “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.”
This partnership follows Archer Aviation’s substantial financial boost in April when it secured multi-hundred-million dollar investments from Abu Dhabi.
These funds are allocated not only to manufacturing the Midnight in the UAE but also to establishing Archer’s international headquarters in the Emirates.
The investments aim to accelerate the construction of vertiports in key locations across Abu Dhabi, facilitating the timely launch of commercial air taxi services in 2025.
The Midnight aircraft is designed to transform urban travel, reducing commute times from the current 60-90 minutes by car to an estimated 10-20 minutes via electric air taxi.
The piloted, four-passenger aircraft is optimized for rapid back-to-back flights, necessitating minimal charge time between operations, thereby enhancing efficiency and convenience for passengers.
EAT’s role in this partnership extends beyond training; it will provide local guidance and expertise, ensuring adherence to the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) guidelines and other local regulations to establish appropriate pilot training requirements in the UAE.
This collaboration underscores the strategic importance of local expertise in developing a new aviation sector.
Captain Paolo La Cava, CEO of Etihad Training, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “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.”
The introduction of Archer’s Midnight and the corresponding pilot training program signify a transformative era for urban air mobility in the UAE.
This venture aligns with Abu Dhabi’s vision of integrating innovative technologies into its infrastructure, positioning the Emirates as a global leader in sustainable and efficient transportation solutions.
As Archer Aviation and EAT embark on this groundbreaking journey, the UAE stands on the brink of an aerial revolution that promises to redefine urban commuting, enhance connectivity, and contribute to the region’s economic and technological advancement.
This article was created using automation and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our staff editorial members