Archer and Etihad Training agree eVTOL pilot recruitment and training deal

Archer has partnered with Etihad Training to recruit and train prospective pilots for Archer’s Midnight aircraft in Abu Dhabi. 

The memorandum of understanding (MoU), announced at the start of the Future Aviation Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will see pilots trained for eVTOL aircraft operations across the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 

“Training a fleet of pilots to operate our aircraft is a critically important part of our efforts to establish a thriving urban air mobility network in Abu Dhabi and the rest of the UAE, and Etihad Training is the premier organization to partner with on this front,” said Archer’s chief commercial officer, Nikhil Goel. “As Etihad Training’s first eVTOL partner, we will commence a thoughtful recruiting process and begin to train the first class of qualified pilots to operate Archer’s Midnight aircraft for commercial operations within the region.”

Archer plans to deliver a Midnight aircraft simulator to be housed by Etihad Training at its training centre in Abu Dhabi. Etihad Training will also engage with the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority to establish pilot training requirements in the country. 

Etihad Training’s CEO, Paolo La Cava, said: “Etihad Aviation Training today recruits and trains pilots to fly with dozens of global airlines. We couldn’t be more excited to choose Archer as our first eVTOL partner to recruit and train the first class of electric air taxi pilots to fly Archer’s Midnight aircraft right here in Abu Dhabi as soon as 2025. We look forward to installing the Archer Midnight flight simulator in our facilities later this year.”

Archer has been working with various entities within Abu Dhabi and Dubai to accelerate the operation of its air taxi services across the region. In late April, Archer and ADIO signed an agreement that includes in-country manufacturing, operations and training across the UAE. Archer has plans to commence air taxi operations there as soon as next year.