Midnight air taxi will become official transport for the Olympics in Los Angeles
Archer Aviation became the official partner of the summer Olympic Games of ’28 in Los Angeles. Electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft Midnight will transport spectators and athletes between key points of the city.
The technological characteristics of the system are impressive. Maximum speed reaches 240 kilometers per hour with a capacity of 4 passengers plus pilot. The noise level is only 45 decibels. This is quieter than a home air conditioner. Flight range reaches 160 kilometers, and 10 minutes of charging provides a 30-kilometer route.
The company is completing certification in the USA to begin commercial flights in the current year. Vertiports will be placed near stadiums, the airport, and in Hollywood. Travel time between points will be reduced to 10-20 minutes at a cost comparable to premium taxi.
The prototype made its first test flight in October ’23. And over the past year, the system has undergone more than 400 tests, demonstrating readiness for commercial use.
The choice of air taxi as official Olympic transport is interesting. It seems this will provide a large-scale public demonstration of technology before a global audience of millions of viewers. Which looks more like PR for US technological superiority than purely practical value.
