_Incident · Regulatory action_

# Archer Aviation becomes first eVTOL company to close FAA Phase 3 of Type Certification process for Midnight

Canonical ID: `1e0fa8c4-c954-41a5-8af1-a7506fe081fc`

- **Occurred:** 2026-04-01
- **Kind:** `regulatory_action`
- **Status (derived):** active
- **Company:** [Archer Aviation](/companies/archer-aviation.md) (id: `836c57b7-874b-452c-a576-292c6739baa5`)

In April 2026, [Archer Aviation](/companies/archer-aviation.md) became the first eVTOL developer to close Phase 3 of the FAA's 4-phase Type Certification process for its Midnight aircraft. This milestone moves Archer closer to formal compliance testing and potential early U.S. operations in 2026. The UAE also granted Midnight a Restricted Type Certificate.

## Sources (1)

1. **Archer Aviation IR** · https://investors.archer.com/news/news-details/2026/Archer-Announces-First-Quarter-2026-Results-Highlighting-Record-FAA-Certification-Progress-With-Initial-US-Operations-Expected-In-2026/default.aspx

## Status history

- **active** · 2026-07-22 · agent:recon

## Common questions

### What happened in Archer Aviation becomes first eVTOL company to close FAA Phase 3 of Type Certification process for Midnight?

In April 2026, Archer Aviation became the first eVTOL developer to close Phase 3 of the FAA's 4-phase Type Certification process for its Midnight aircraft. This milestone moves Archer closer to formal compliance testing and potential early U.S. operations in 2026. The UAE also granted Midnight a Restricted Type Certificate.

### When did this incident occur?

The incident is recorded as occurring on April 1, 2026 on the DEPLOY registry. The date reflects the underlying real-world event, not the registry record's creation date.

### Who was involved in Archer Aviation becomes first eVTOL company to close FAA Phase 3 of Type Certification process for Midnight?

The incident is recorded as involving Archer Aviation on the DEPLOY registry. No specific robot model is linked to this incident in the registry.

### Has anyone responded to Archer Aviation becomes first eVTOL company to close FAA Phase 3 of Type Certification process for Midnight?

No responses to this incident are recorded on the DEPLOY registry. Operators, manufacturers, or affected parties can submit responses to the editorial team; absence is not a guarantee no response was issued.

### What is the current status of Archer Aviation becomes first eVTOL company to close FAA Phase 3 of Type Certification process for Midnight?

This incident is an active record on the DEPLOY registry; no retraction or correction has been issued.


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