Archer Aviation has announced that the FAA has approved the G-1 certification basis for its all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft design. According to the company, it will now focus on finalizing the G-2 Issue Paper, which will lay out the means of compliance with G-1 requirements. Archer says it has been working with the FAA on the G-2 Issue Paper, along with testing and methods required to demonstrate the model’s safety and compliance, since earlier this year.
“Certification continues to be the shining light at the end of our design and development tunnel,” said Archer co-founder and co-CEO Brett Adcock. “While there is still significant work ahead of us, we now have a basis agreed upon with the FAA that will allow us to better focus our efforts on our goal of obtaining certification on an efficient timeline.”
Archer’s four-passenger eVTOL design is expected to be capable of traveling distances of up to 60 miles at 150 MPH. The company is aiming to begin flight testing in late 2021. As previously reported by AVweb, United Airlines has announced plans to acquire a fleet of 200 Archer eVTOLs once the aircraft is in operation and provided it meets the airline’s requirements.
V tail? Might need a yaw damper.
What is G-1 certification?
What is G-2 certification?
How can an aircraft that has never flown earn certification?
According to AeroNews.net, “The G-1 Certification Basis specifies the aircraft’s airworthiness and Environmental Standards required for FAA Type Certification… the G-2 Issue Paper…certifies the means of compliance…” So, basically, it seems like they’ve applied for type certification, and the FAA has said “you’ll get your type certification if you can demonstrate these engineering requisites.”
A suggestion: Instead of flooding AvWeb’s “Aviation News” section with unflown airplane ideas, how about a separate section of “proposed airplanes”–“under consideration” or “under development” for these “press releases”?
Very few are ever certified–many never even make it to a prototype stage. These “proposed aircraft” don’t even meet the definition of “NEWS”–“Recently received or noteworthy information, especially about recent or important events”
I believe that AvWeb is categorizing all the ‘imaginary aircraft’ under the header of “eVTOLs/Urban Mobility”.
Wow, Someone figured out how to use the word “certification” four times in a three paragraph press release. That guy deserves a beer… don’t know what a “G-1 certification basis” is but I’m investing all my bitcoin in Archer Aviation 🙂
Funny, I think it was Bitcoin profits that they are using to fund the company already. 🤣😂
Fake money funding fake flying. Fabulous.
I suppose it’s a good thing to release stuff like this that implies movement and progress so investors don’t get restless but this sounds a bit like “So far our paperwork has been in order. Next step – to document where we go with the paperwork from here.”
I appreciate AVweb keeping us informed on new stuff. But I would also like to see similar articles announcing that the previous new innovator has gone tango uniform. We loose sleep because we just can’t stand the suspense of not knowing.
Seek and ye shall find: Type ‘Aerion’ into that Search box up top.