Archer Aviation has successfully flown its electric vehicle takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft Midnight at its highest ever altitude in preparation for urban flight.
On September 22, 2025, US-eVTOL developer Archer announced that Midnight had reached 7,000 feet after taking off from the company’s test facility in Salinas, California.
According to Archer, the test pilot “conducted a steady climb after takeoff, leveled off at altitude, then continued to fly for 45 miles in total at speeds in excess of 120 mph”.
Archer is currently undertaking several flight tests designed to assess Midnight’s operational range.
“I’m proud of the team for consistently proving Midnight’s performance capabilities while maintaining the highest safety standards. Our test pilots will continue to safely and methodically test Midnight’s speed, duration and mission profiles to prepare for early commercial operations,” said Adam Goldstein, Founder and CEO of Archer.
Archer claims that eVTOL aircraft would typically operate in and around cities at altitudes between 1,500 and 4,000 feet.
“Having the operational capability to operate at higher altitudes provides flexibility for managing air traffic in high-density environments and allows these aircraft to be able to operate in certain cities at elevation,” an Archer spokesperson said.
In August 2024, Archer executed its longest piloted journey to date, flying approximately 55 miles (88km) in 31 minutes at speeds exceeding 126 mph.
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The aircraft is meant to be an (eVTOL) electric VERTICAL takeoff and landing vehicle. However, the aircraft that was flown cannot take-off vertically because the stresses in the aft row of two bladed propellers is too high during the transition from vertical to horizontal flight. Google this – Archer Aviation, The Nikola of the Skies – to get more information.