Archer receives FAA certification to launch its pilot training academy

Archer Aviation received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification to launch its pilot training academy. The Part 141 certification, granted to a flight school by the FAA, signifies it is a formally recognized and regulated institution for pilot training.

With this certificate, Archer can now train and qualify pilots as part of its newly launched training academy, with plans to build a pipeline of pilots in preparation for its planned commercial air taxis services with its Midnight aircraft.

Archer has now received the third certificate required by the FAA for it to launch air taxi operations when Midnight receives its Type Certification. It previously received its Part 135 Air Carrier & Operator Certificate from the FAA in June of 2024 and prior to that, in February of 2024, its Part 145 certification to operate a repair and maintenance station. Part 142 is the fourth and final certificate Archer will be pursuing - for which the application has already begun.

The FAA granted Archer its Part 141 certificate during a ceremony at Archer’s flight test facility in Salinas, California. At the ceremony, Archer’s chief operating officer of UAM, Tom Anderson, and chief people officer, Tosha Perkins, were joined by Thom Holden, manager of the FAA’s San Jose Flight Standards District Office and David Pease, an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector.

“Thanks to the hard work of the Archer team and the FAA, Archer now has its Part 141 certificate in hand – yet another step toward our commercial launch. I look forward to seeing the results of this effort in the form of talented pilots who can one day be at the controls of our Midnight aircraft. The FAA continues to be an invaluable partner as we work together toward the safe entry of air taxis into the national airspace,” said Archer Chief Operating Officer, UAM Tom Anderson.

Archer’s goal is to transform urban travel, replacing 60-to-90-minute commutes by car with estimated 10-to-20-minute electric air taxi flights that are safe, sustainable, low noise, and cost-competitive with ground transportation. Archer’s Midnight is a piloted, four-passenger aircraft designed to perform rapid back-to-back flights with minimal charge time between flights.