Archer Aviation has taken a major step toward launching its electric air taxi services with the FAA’s approval of its Part 141 certification, allowing it to formally establish a pilot training academy.
A Part 141 training center follows a highly structured, FAA-approved curriculum that can reduce the hours required for pilot certification, streamlining the path to commercial eVTOL operations.
This certification is Archer’s third operational approval from the FAA, following its Part 135 Air Carrier & Operator Certificate in June 2024 and Part 145 certification in February 2024. The company is now working toward securing a Part 142 certificate, which would allow for full-flight simulator training and further expand its pilot training ecosystem.
At the academy’s outset, Archer will focus on offering helicopter add-on ratings for airplane pilots, laying the groundwork for future commercial Midnight pilots. The structured training process under Part 141 is expected to accelerate the pipeline of qualified pilots needed for Archer’s planned urban air mobility operations.
“The Part 141 certification allows us to begin developing a dedicated pipeline of pilots for our Midnight aircraft,” said Tom Anderson, Archer’s Chief Operating Officer of Urban Air Mobility. “The FAA continues to be an invaluable partner as we work together toward the safe entry of air taxis into the national airspace.“
The FAA officially presented the Part 141 certificate during a ceremony at Archer’s flight test facility in Salinas, CA, attended by representatives from both organisations, including FAA San Jose Flight Standards District Office Manager Thom Holden and FAA Aviation Safety Inspector David Pease.
Archer’s Midnight, a four-passenger electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, is designed for short, frequent flights, aiming to replace traditional 60–90-minute commutes with 10–20-minute air taxi rides. The company envisions a future where these flights are low-noise, cost-competitive, and sustainable.
However, obtaining the next key certification, Part 142, remains a challenge. Archer acknowledges that early engagement with the FAA is essential, as this certification is a critical part of the training ecosystem that will support its commercial launch.
