Archer Aviation is preparing to recruit and train prospective pilots for its Midnight aircraft with Etihad Training in Abu Dhabi, to fly aircraft across the UAE. The MoU was announced at the start of the Future Aviation Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where Archer is showcasing its Midnight aircraft for the first time in the country.

"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 organisation to partner with on this front," says CCO 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."

Etihad Training CEO captain Paolo La Cava adds: "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 intends to deliver a Midnight aircraft simulator to be housed and staffed by Etihad Training at its centre in Abu Dhabi for research and development of pilot training competencies, to support the required regulatory certifications. Etihad Training will provide local guidance and expertise as they further engage with the GCAA and other local authorities to establish appropriate pilot training requirements in the UAE.

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, an agreement was signed with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office that accelerates planned commercial air taxi operations in the UAE, slated to launch as early as next year, and that includes in-country manufacturing, operations and training.