In Salinas, California, a sleek, van-sized aircraft with twelve electric rotors whirred into the sky above an artichoke field. Controlled remotely from a nearby trailer, the 10-minute test flight marked a significant milestone for Archer Aviation. The company is one of several racing to turn a long-imagined dream into reality: a world where commuters can bypass gridlocked traffic in electric air taxis.  

when I founded Archer Aviation, all the experts doubted electric VTOL aircraft

Despite skepticism, physics showed its feasibility

in the limit, this will change where we live and how we travelpic.twitter.com/niY1HrCrYu

— Brett Adcock (@adcock_brett) December 13, 2023

 

Archer’s aircraft, a futuristic blend of helicopter and airplane, represents a cutting-edge development in electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOLs). Alongside competitors like Joby Aviation, Archer is vying to secure certification under new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules that could pave the way for passenger service. Archer aims to launch its first commercial flights in Abu Dhabi within a year, while Joby targets Dubai by late 2025.  

 

Roger Connor, curator of the vertical flight collection at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, highlighted the allure of these technologies. “They have created these amazing new aircraft that really 10 or 15 years ago would’ve been unimaginable,” Connor said. “Who hasn’t wished... something could drop into your cul-de-sac and 15 minutes later you’re at the office?”  

 

The rapid advancement of battery and tilt-rotor technology has brought eVTOLs tantalizingly close to commercial viability. Both Archer and Joby envision their aircraft playing key roles at high-profile events like the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Yet, the transition from futuristic novelty to widespread commuter solution faces substantial challenges.  

 

 

To scale the industry, companies will need billions of dollars in investment, not only for aircraft production but also for building networks of vertiports and charging stations. Despite the enthusiasm, some high-profile ventures have stumbled. Plans for air taxis at the Paris Olympics fell through, and in November, German eVTOL company Lilium filed for insolvency.  

 

Still, major players remain optimistic. Archer and Joby have attracted funding from giants like Stellantis, Toyota, and Boeing, while airlines including American, Delta, Southwest, and United are forging partnerships with eVTOL startups. Adam Goldstein, CEO of Archer Aviation, sees this moment as transformative. “It feels like the modern-day American Dream, where you can invent a technology and actually bring it to market even [if it’s] as crazy as what some people call flying cars.”  

 

The federal government has also signaled its support. Congress included provisions for eVTOLs in the FAA’s 2024 reauthorization bill, and the agency recently released standards for pilot training and certification. In a 2023 speech, President-elect Donald Trump underscored the strategic importance of air taxis, declaring, “Just as the United States led the automobile revolution in the last century, I want to ensure that America, not China, leads the revolution in air mobility.”  

 

While doubts persist about the commercial scalability of air taxis, the industry’s promise remains undeniable. Quieter, greener, and battery-powered aircraft could revolutionize travel, turning what once seemed like science fiction into a modern commuting reality. Whether these companies can overcome financial, logistical, and regulatory hurdles will determine if electric air taxis truly take flight as a viable business.  

 

Based on a report by WP 2024-12-30

 

 

 

If a driver loses control, he might run into a power pole

If an air taxi loses control/power, it can drop anywhere on anyone without warning

I could see being whisked off the roof of a 5 Star hotel and dropped off on the tarmac next to the G5, instead of enduring the traffic.  Sadly, I won't be in that demographic.  The Uber wealthy.  If they tailored it to us nobody's the skies over cities would be choked with them and they'd be colliding left and right.

 

Not good enough.  We should have had these by the 23 Oct 2015!

 

I guess that shop & bank thieves could use one as a quick get away, until cops get their hands on a 'police equipped' version..

1 hour ago, Emdog said:

If a driver loses control, he might run into a power pole

If an air taxi loses control/power, it can drop anywhere on anyone without warning

 

Death from the above.

28 minutes ago, pl8lad said:

I guess that shop & bank thieves could use one as a quick get away, until cops get their hands on a 'police equipped' version..

 

Squad cars might soon need flak guns to counter those airborne raiders.

"Land immediately. Or We'll bring you down!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's an absolutely brilliant idea, a giant step into the future. One can only imagine the application of such a vehicle in a city like Los Angeles during rush hour, the ability to travel across town in 10 minutes would be absolutely extraordinary. How about getting from Hua Hin to the airport in 45 minutes?

 

The one question I have is will they ever be able to do it at such a level where it will even be modestly affordable.?

Electric Air Taxis Take Off: Will They Transform Travel

 

Absolutely Ridiculous /Stupid if that takes of than it will look like a sworm of Flying Ants .

Dangerous  . Where would they Park/drop you of at the front door?