Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

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Archer aims to reduce operating expenses during the second quarter of this year, after incurring higher costs in the first quarter as it works to bring its four-passenger Midnight eVTOL aircraft to market in early 2025. On Thursday, the U.S. company reported that first-quarter non-GAAP expenses totaled $142.2 million in the first three months of this year and predicted that it will reduce this to between $80 million and $95 million in the second quarter.
As it heads into critical phases in its type certification program, Archer reported a net loss for the quarter of $116.5 million, which was higher than both the same period in 2023 and the final quarter of last year. As of March 31, the company held $405.8 million in cash and cash equivalents and maintained overall liquidity at $523 million, which is consistent with levels achieved over the previous four quarters.
According to Archer, elevated costs in the first quarter included non-recurring payments to supply chain partners to establish manufacturing capability for various components and subsystems. An increase in operating expenses of $34.9 million, it explained, was partly due to $20.3 million spent on non-cash stock-based compensation and a further $15.3 million to settle its <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2023-08-11/archer-and-wisk-reach-settlement-over-trade-secrets-lawsuit">intellectual property lawsuit</a> with Wisk and its parent company Boeing.
Archer said it is on track to achieve its goal of 400 test flights with its Midnight aircraft this year. Its development team is getting close to achieving a transition from thurst-borne vertical flight and wing-borne cruise flight, and once this has happened, the company expects to fly the aircraft as much as 10 to 15 times daily to get closer to what it called a commercial mission tempo.
At the company headquarters in Santa Clara, California, Archer has started the final assembly of the first production-conforming Midnight aircraft, with the integration of components and systems. It is preparing to start piloted flight tests with this aircraft later this year.
On Wednesday, Archer announced that it has established a high-volume production line for battery packs in San Jose. This facility is expected to manufacture up to 15,000 battery packs each year and will supply the high-volume aircraft production facility the company aims to open later this year in Covington, Georgia. The battery pack plant has various automated processes, including cell test and load, adhesive dispensing, laser cleaning, and welding, as well as end-of-line testing.
“From the outset, we’ve been clear that our strategy is to keep the design of our first electric aircraft, Midnight, as simple as possible while delivering industry-leading performance balanced with safety,” commented Archer's CEO, Adam Goldstein. “We are accomplishing this by partnering with what we believe to be the best suppliers in the aerospace industry, rather than take on the cost and risk of vertically integrating every aspect of a novel aircraft program. This capital-light strategy continues to pay dividends that are more clear today than ever, as we continue to make rapid progress towards commercializing electric aviation.”
Archer’s technology and manufacturing partners include major automotive group Stellantis, which is also an investor, as well as Honeywell, Garmin, and Molicel. United Airlines is expected to be an early commercial operator of the Midnight in cities including Chicago and New York. Archer recently announced plans for <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-04-25/abu-dhabi-backs-evtol-air-taxi-services-archer-and-joby">eVTOL air taxi services to launch in the UAE</a>, where rivals Joby and EHang are also getting established.

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