Archer Aviation recently appointed former Federal Aviation Administration acting administrator, Billy Nolen as its Chief Safety Officer, taking a significant step towards achieving eVTOL certification. Archer aviation hopes that Nolen’s expertise in aviation safety and flight operations […] will further strengthen Archer’s ability to successfully commercialize urban air mobility at scale.
“Billy is an incredible leader and has long been a staunch supporter of the eVTOL aircraft industry, spearheading our country and the FAA’s global leadership role in this important area,” said Adam Goldstein, founder and CEO, Archer. “Together, we will shape the future of transportation and make sustainable, efficient air travel a reality.”
Nolen has been an advocate of the eVTOL industry and has led the agency’s efforts to enable the safe entry of eVTOL aircraft into the national airspace.
“I’m honored to join Archer Aviation, a true visionary at the forefront of revolutionizing urban air mobility,” commented Nolen. “The commercialization of eVTOL aircraft is no longer a question of ‘if,’ but rather ‘when’ and after careful consideration and assessing the competitive landscape, I joined Archer because I believe its approach to designing for certification and only developing the key enabling technologies necessary for eVTOL aircraft is the right recipe for success.”
Nolen will play a leadership role to help Archer collaborate with industry stakeholders more effectively and help ensure its safe entry into service as it prepares for planned commercialization in 2025.
“I’m excited to bring my expertise as a former FAA Administrator to Archer and believe its dedication to safety, innovation, and commercialization aligns perfectly with my own values and aspirations,” Nolen added.
Nolen has over 33 years of experience in corporate safety, regulatory affairs, and flight operations, and served as the acting administrator at the FAA from April 2022 to June 2023.
Nolen started his career as a pilot for American Airlines, then took on safety roles at WestJet Airlines, Qantas Airways, Airlines for America, and American Airlines.