California eVTOL startup Archer Aviation is tapping into investor and customer United Airlines to share its expertise on airline maintenance and operations.
Archer is hoping to glean knowledge from United to help it launch urban air mobility (UAM) services using its five-seat eVTOL aircraft — after it’s certified by U.S. aviation authorities which Archer expects to happen in 2024.
The companies announced that they’re forming an advisory committee that would act as a forum for senior managers from United to advise the team from Archer, including CEO Adam Goldstein, chief operating officer Tom Muniz, and maintainability lead Armando Chieffi.
The committee will be chaired by Dave Dennison, Archer’s vice president of engineering, and Mauricio Angel, United’s managing director of United Express TechOps Strategy and Operations.
“We understand that the adoption of UAM is about more than just the certification of our aircraft,” Goldstein said. “United’s operational experience here will be invaluable as we work toward delivering aerial ridesharing at scale.”
Archer’s ties with United started in February 2021 when the airline signed a conditional agreement to purchase $1 billion worth of Archer’s eVTOL aircraft, with an option for an additional $500 million of aircraft.
United is also a contributor to Archer’s $600 million public investment in private equity (PIPE), related to the eVTOL developer’s merger with special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Atlas Crest Investment Corp.
Archer said its goal is to work with United to create UAM fleet support by leveraging logistics concepts and networks already in use to create operational efficiencies.
