A Step Toward a Sustainable, Fast-Travel FutureAn Interview with Archer Aviation
Introduction: Every once in a while, we come across an aviation company that is truly future minded and passionate about the issues of today and tomorrow. Archer Aviation of Palo Alto, Calif. is one of those companies. Archer Aviation is creating an electric aircraft that will not produce carbon emissions. The aircraft will relieve the congestion in major cities, starting with the City of Los Angeles. Below, are some questions we asked Archer. For more information, visit www.archer.com .
IFU: When did Archer start?
AA: Archer Aviation was founded in 2018 by Brett Adcock and Adam Goldstein. On the back of 20 years of advancements in electric power systems, our team has built an affordable, safe, and low-noise eVTOL aircraft. These aircraft take off vertically like a helicopter, fly forward like an airplane, and are 100 percent electric.
IFU: Describe your aircraft... Is it manned or unmanned?
AA: Our aircraft is currently preparing for its official unveil this year, so stay posted for the full details of the aircraft then. As for manned vs. unmanned, while the aircraft will have fully autonomous capabilities, we are planning to have it be piloted at launch.
IFU: Is it 100 percent electric? Does it have to charge?
AA: Yes, the aircraft is 100 percent electric and runs on a battery pack that provides the vehicle a range of 60 miles (based on travel at speeds of 150 mph) before it needs to be charged.
IFU: Describe your partnership with the City of Los Angeles.
AA: Archer’s partnership with the City of Los Angeles will work to address some of Southern California’s mobility challenges, offering people a new option to travel in and around dense cities in a fast, safe, sustainable, and cost-effective manner. Urban Movement Labs and the City of Los Angeles plan to collaborate to develop the design and access of “vertiports,” a new piece of L.A.’s transportation network where people can access urban air mobility aircraft.
IFU: What is Urban Movement Labs?
AA: Urban Movement Labs is a dynamic collaboration between local government and mobility innovators, all committed to the same vision: a Los Angeles where new transportation technologies are tested, proven, and brought to life. By diversifying how workers, families, and visitors get around Los Angeles, Urban Movement Labs is committed to improving Angelenos’ quality of life, connecting communities, improving sustainability, and building an economy that works for everyone. Urban Movement Labs is a first-of-its-kind public-private partnership to make Los Angeles the transportation innovation capital of the world. Archer, the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, and Urban Movement Labs are collaborating on a program that will develop strategies for the integration of UAM into existing transportation networks and land-use policies to prioritize equity of access, connections to transit, purpose-driven data sharing, and local workforce development.
IFU: How are you partnering with United Airlines?
AA: Known for its sustainability efforts, United’s partnership with Archer signals that it’s time to embrace cleaner, more efficient modes of transportation to curb our carbon footprint. United will contribute its expertise in airspace management to assist Archer with the development of battery-powered, short-haul aircraft. United will acquire a fleet of 200 of Archer’s electric aircraft to give customers a quick, economical, and low-carbon way to get to United's hub airports and commute in dense urban environments within the next five years.
IFU: How fast can your aircraft travel?
AA: The fully electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft is expected to travel distances of up to 60 miles at 150 mph.
IFU: How many passengers does it seat?
AA: Our eVTOL will be a four-passenger vehicle, which was chosen because of the efficiency and to keep costs low. We chose a four-passenger vehicle to balance between not having too many people that makes the plane too big, while also not too few people to make the trip too expensive.
IFU: Describe the engine.
AA: When it comes to Archer’s aircraft, our engineering teams moved away from a traditional combustion engine in favor of electric propulsion. An electric powertrain removes thousands of parts and hundreds of critical components, increasing aircraft reliability and reducing the amount of regular maintenance needed, not to mention of course the impact on emissions and sustainability.
IFU: What are your goals for the future?
AA: Archer is looking to usher in a new era of sustainable urban air transportation. Fully battery-powered, Archer is on a mission to tackle the major issues plaguing cities, from excessive carbon emissions to gridlock traffic -- and create the multimodal transportation networks of the future all at the cost of an Uber-X. We truly believe we have the ability to build one of the most significant businesses in the world and more importantly help drive the world towards a zero-emissions future.
IFU: Thank you!
