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FAA Acting Administrator Billy Nolen to Join eVTOL Aircraft Manufacturer Archer Aviation

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Archer passenger eVTOL Midnight, Billy Nolen to join archerReuters has reported that FAA Acting Administrator Billy Nolen will join eVTOL aircraft manufacturer Archer Aviation when he leaves the agency this summer.

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DroneLife · FAA – Acting – Administrator – Billy – Nolen – To – Join – Archer – AviationThe news comes only a month after Nolen announced that he would step down from the position this summer, citing the need to spend more time with his family.  Nolen was appointed to the post in March of 2022.

Air Taxis, Advanced Air Mobility

The move could mean faster progress for Archer Aviation on certification for their Midnight Air Taxi.  The FAA published airworthiness criteria for the aircraft at the end of 2022.  At the recent AUVSI Xponential conference, Nolen spoke to the drone industry audience, brushing over the delay on a ruling for flight beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) for commercial drone operation.  Nolen focused his talk more on the newly published “Airspace Blueprint for Air Taxis” and the goal of demonstrating advanced air mobility and air taxis for the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028.

Archer has made major progress in the race for preeminence in passenger eVTOLs.  Recently, the company announced a partnership with United to establish air taxi routes in Chicago. United has already committed to the purchase of 100 Archer aircraft.  A recent deal with Stellantis will help Archer up production and provided funding.  Still, hurdles remain for Archer and all passenger eVTOL manufacturers in the US before commercialization at scale can be realized.

“Leadership Vacuum” at FAA

Nolen was appointed FAA Acting Administrator after former FAA Administrator Steve Dickson left the post in 2022 mid-way through his five year appointment.  The vacancy leaves a gap at the head of the organization during negotiations over an FAA Reauthorization package and continued crises in the manned aircraft industry.  House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) said that Nolen’s departure was “a wakeup call” in a published a statement, calling on President Biden “to fill the FAA’s ever-increasing leadership vacuum with highly qualified people without any further delay.”

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