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December 21, 2021

Archer's Maker eVTOL Completes Hover Test

Important, if Delayed, Milestone For United Airlines' Chosen Taxi

Archer Aviation has completed the first important hover test of their upcoming Maker aircraft, a two-seater electric VTOL. The brief flight consisted of the company's proprietary propulsion system making its first successful lift off unassisted. The developmental mule received its FAA Special Airworthiness Certificate in Early December, the company finally moved its aircraft from the digital drawing board into the prototype phase. The Maker faces stiff competition in a market that has consistently marched onwards, only reaching hover tests this late in the game could see the tortoise v. hare adage play out in the market once again.

AD 2021-24-18 Requires Determining Service Life Limits For The Wing Strut Fitting On The Main Spar

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Viking Air Limited Model DHC-3 airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI identifies the unsafe condition as fatigue damage of the wing strut lug fitting components and the fuselage to wing strut attachment (tie-bar). This AD requires determining service life limits for the wing strut fitting on the main spar and for the tie-bar and following instructions for removal and replacement of affected parts. The FAA is issu