In this episode, we talk to Billy Nolen, Chief Safety Officer at Archer Aviation, a leading electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft company. Nolen recently joined Archer after a distinguished career at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), bringing with him a wealth of experience in aviation safety and regulation.

Nolen provides an in-depth look at Archer’s progress in certifying their eVTOL aircraft, Midnight, for commercial passenger service. He outlines the rigorous FAA certification process, and expresses confidence in Archer’s timeline, which expects to enter service in 2025.

Central to the conversation is Archer’s approach to ensuring the safety and reliability of their eVTOL aircraft. Nolen emphasises the multiple redundancies built into Midnight’s design, and asserts that once certified, Midnight will be as safe as any commercial airliner flying today. He also explains Midnight’s design optimisation for urban air mobility (UAM) missions and the rapid charging capabilities that enable quick turnarounds between flights.

Nolen also discusses the importance of public acceptance and the role of education in normalising eVTOL travel. He shares Archer’s vision of making urban air mobility accessible and affordable, with prices eventually reaching levels comparable to Uber X. 

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also enjoy the conversation we had with Archer’s Founder & CEO Adam Goldstein, who shares how the startup aims to make air travel greener through incremental and innovative technologies. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Archer Aviation 

Electric Air Taxis Have Landed Vertically - Archer Aviation 

Archer Begins Building Electric Air Taxis for FAA Certification - FLYING Magazine 

Archer Aviation and NASA to study AAM battery tech - Airport Technology 

Archer Aviation aims to launch all-electric air taxi service in India in 2026 - TechCrunch 

Why eVTOLS will change the way we live, travel and spend time - SimpliFlying