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One of the common concerns about urban air mobility (UAM) is that eVTOL aircraft flying overhead will significantly increase community noise levels. That couldn’t be further from the truth. 

Peer through the window of any plane on any tarmac, and you’ll see the ground crew wearing ear protection. Board a helicopter, and you’ll be handed a headset to protect your ears and to enable you to hear your fellow passengers and pilot. When you’re waiting for a subway or commuter train, there’s no mistaking the rumble on the tracks and the high-pitched screeching halt as the cars approach the platform. Living near a highway isn’t much better, diesel engines, horns, and brakes drive up the decibel level. We’ve been conditioned to believe that transportation is loud, but Archer’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is designed to be a notable exception to that rule. 

Let’s first talk about helicopters, which are, of course, very noisy. The majority of noise from helicopters is generated by high rotor tip speeds (they’re moving at over 500 mph in flight) The high tip speed, combined with a low rate of rotation, causes the ‘wop-wop’ sound that most of us associate with helicopters. This sound is most pronounced in forward flight because the rotors are spinning "edge-wise," or into the oncoming air. 

Archer’s eVTOL aircraft should not be compared to a helicopter because the two designs are very different. Our two-seater demonstrator eVTOL aircraft, Maker, features 12 propellers (6 dedicated “lift propellers” that allow the aircraft to ascend, hover, and descend, and 6 “tilt propellers” that provide both lift during hover and thrust horizontally during forward flight). During forward flight, these tilt propellers spin on axes that are aligned with the oncoming air flow, rather than edge-wise to the flow (i.e., like a helicopter), meaning they won't generate the similar "wop-wop" sound. Since we are spinning 12 small propellers rather than one large rotor, we can also spin them at significantly lower tip speeds, resulting in much lower noise levels. 

Designed to cruise at approximately 2,000 feet, the design of Maker is such that the noise that reaches the ground should measure around 45 A-weighted decibels (dBA), almost 1,000 times quieter than that of a helicopter.

Sound is measured logarithmically in decibels (dB). As How Stuff Works explains:

"On the decibel scale, the smallest audible sound (near total silence) is 0 dB. A sound 10 times more powerful is 10 dB. A sound 100 times more powerful than near total silence is 20 dB. A sound 1,000 times more powerful than near total silence is 30 dB."

In a standard unit of measurement, 30 is three times more than 10. In the logarithmic measurement of sound, 30 dB is 1,000 times—or three orders of magnitude—more powerful than 10 dB. That’s important to understand in comparing the relative difference of the sound generated by an eVTOL aircraft to other noises, like from a car or helicopter.

A-weighting is a frequency-based adjustment to the “raw” noise levels measured by a microphone, intended to account for the sensitivity of the human ear, which is less sensitive to low frequencies.

According to University of Michigan Health, soft, pleasant noises like whispers and rustling leaves are 30 dBA, or 100 times more powerful than the smallest audible sound. Standard household noises are 40 dBA, and normal conversation levels or background music register around 60 dBA. Yale Environmental Health and Safety says a household refrigerator registers 50 dBA, while a vacuum cleaner is 75 dBA when you’re about 10 feet away. Sounds above 80 dBA are considered potentially harmful under certain conditions.

Now let’s compare the Archer eVTOL’s 45 dBA output when flying overhead at around 2,000 feet to other modes of transportation.

The noise from standard city traffic measures from approximately 62 dBA (for a single car, 50 feet away, traveling 30 mph) to 85 dBA (for city traffic) at 30-50 feet away. A subway train that’s 200 feet away generates approximately 95 dBA, a helicopter at 1,000 feet generates approximately 78 dBA, and from 100 ft away a jet aircraft taking off generates approximately 140 dBA. With standard automobiles generating approximately 100 times more noise at 30-50 feet away than Archer eVTOLs do from 2,000 feet overhead, replacing even a portion of automobile traffic with eVTOLs may actually lower overall community noise levels. 

Lowering noise levels can affect more than just how people experience sound. Noise pollution impacts both public health and the economy, according to a study published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine. Exposure to prolonged or excessive noise can exacerbate health problems ranging from stress and fatigue to hearing loss and cardiovascular disease. Homeowners who live near high traffic roadways see sharp decreases in their property values compared to lower traffic areas. 

Vehicular noise isn’t just a quality of life issue; it has quantitative consequences. Even a four-decibel reduction in vehicular noise can significantly improve health and economic outcomes.

Archer is on a mission to advance the benefits of sustainable air mobility by helping drive transportation towards a zero-emissions future. That includes streamlining transportation with beautiful, eco-friendly aircraft, but the bigger vision is about a better quality of life: shorter travel times, less pollution, accessible exploration, and less noise. Reducing noise pollution is one more reason to embrace the eVTOL revolution, and Archer is looking forward to playing its part.

How Loud is an eVTOL?

Today, the founders and other early employees of Archer rang the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange, ushering in a new era for the company


The closing of the business combination generated $857.6 million of gross proceeds, which will help fund Archer's vision of bringing an electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle (eVTOL) to market and launching an urban air mobility (UAM) network

PALO ALTO, Calif., September 20, 2021, Archer (NYSE: ACHR), a leading developer of eVTOL aircraft, today celebrated the completion of its business combination with Atlas Crest Investment Corp. and listing on the NYSE with the ceremonial ringing of the NYSE opening bell. 

Archer’s story has been one of pragmatic planning, incredible teamwork and a relentless dedication to always moving forward. Because of this, Archer’s momentum continues to build, further bolstered by recent milestones like agreeing to its G-1 Certification Basis with the FAA, its Maker Aircraft unveiling, and its partnership with REEF. With a world-class Board of Directors and experienced team, Archer is well positioned to continue to drive the development and adoption of a more efficient and sustainable form of transportation.

"We believe Archer's eVTOL aircraft can be the future of how people will travel in and around cities. In a market projected by Morgan Stanely to be worth $1 trillion by 2040, it's exciting that Archer is among the first publicly-traded companies working to build this future," said Archer co-founder and co-CEO Brett Adcock. "Closing this transaction will help fund Archer's vision of bringing an eVTOL to market and launching an urban air mobility network." 

"The completion of this deal not only represents capital secured, but also the belief of our investors in Archer’s long-term vision" said Archer co-founder and co-CEO Adam Goldstein. "We're confident that this transaction will propel Archer forward towards its goal of changing the way everyday people look at city travel and do so in a way that helps our planet.”

Continue to follow along with Archer’s journey via www.archer.com.

Archer’s mission is to advance the benefits of sustainable air mobility. Archer’s goal is to move people throughout the world's cities in a quick, safe, sustainable, and cost-effective manner. Archer is designing and developing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for use in urban air mobility. Archer's team is based in Palo Alto, CA. To learn more, visit www.archer.com 

Today, the founders and other early employees of Archer rang the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange, ushering in a new era for the company

Archer Rings Opening Bell to Celebrate the Closing of its Business Combination and Listing on the NYSE 

Palo Alto, CA, September 17, 2021 - Archer Aviation Inc. (“Archer'') (NYSE: ACHR), a leading developer of all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (“eVTOL”) aircraft, announced that its Class A common stock and warrants will begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols “ACHR” and “ACHR WS”, respectively, today.

“Completing our go-public transaction and having Archer trade on the New York Stock Exchange is a huge milestone for our business. This is the culmination of a lot of hard work by the great team we have at Archer, but it is also the beginning of the next phase of our development and growth,” said Brett Adcock, co-founder and co-CEO of Archer.

“We are working to build an urban air mobility network that can change the way people travel in and around cities forever. We believe we have the team, the technology and the strategic partners to make our vision a reality,” said Adam Goldstein, co-founder and co-CEO of Archer.

The Business Combination generated approximately $857.6 million of gross proceeds, including $600 million of proceeds from the PIPE which will help fund Archer's vision of bringing an electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle (eVTOL) to market and launching an urban air mobility network.

The PIPE included participation from leading strategic and long-term financial investors including United Airlines, Stellantis and the venture arm of Exor, Baron Capital Group, the Federated Hermes Kaufmann Funds, Mubadala Capital, Putnam Investments and Access Industries. Additionally, Ken Moelis and affiliates, along with early investor Marc Lore and founders Brett Adcock and Adam Goldstein, invested $30 million in the PIPE.

Moelis & Company LLC served as exclusive placement agent on the PIPE. Barclays Capital Inc. served as exclusive financial and capital markets advisor to Archer. Moelis & Company LLC served as exclusive financial advisor to Atlas Crest. Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. served as exclusive capital markets advisor to Atlas Crest. Duff & Phelps, LLC provided a fairness opinion in connection with the transaction to the Atlas Crest board of directors. Cooley LLP served as legal advisor to Archer. Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal advisor to Atlas Crest.

Archer’s mission is to advance the benefits of sustainable air mobility. Archer’s goal is to move people throughout the world's cities in a quick, safe, sustainable, and cost-effective manner. Archer is designing and developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for use in urban air mobility. Archer's team is based in Palo Alto, CA. To learn more, visit www.archer.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this release, including statements regarding Archer’s future operating results and financial position, business strategy and plans, objectives of management for future operations are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on Archer’s current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause Archer’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions regarding the Archer’s business, the economy and other future conditions.

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including, without limitation, those factors described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. New risks and uncertainties arise over time, and it is not possible for Archer’s to predict those events or how they may affect Archer. If a change to the events and circumstances reflected in Archer’s forward-looking statements occurs, Archer’s business, financial condition and operating results may vary materially from those expressed in Archer’s forward-looking statements. If a change to the events and circumstances reflected in Archer’s forward-looking statements occurs, Archer’s business, financial condition and operating results may vary materially from those expressed in Archer’s forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, Archer does not plan to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein, whether as a result of any new information, future events or otherwise.

For Investors
investors@archer.com

For Media
Louise Bristow
Archer
louise.bristow@archer.com
archer@launchsquad.com

Archer Begins Trading on the New York Stock Exchange Under the Symbol “ACHR”

“Completing our go-public transaction and having Archer trade on the New York Stock Exchange is a huge milestone for our business...but it is also the beginning of the next phase of our development and growth,” said Brett Adcock, co-founder and co-CEO of Archer.

The field of urban air mobility (UAM) cannot be developed solely around the technology of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. For UAM to succeed as an alternative to two-dimensional travel on roads, we also have to face the challenge of creating a three-dimensional infrastructure to address traffic in the sky. That’s why Archer created Prime Radiant, its proprietary data science technology in support of its efforts to develop an eVTOL and UAM network. Creating safe, affordable and sustainable eVTOL aircraft isn’t enough to bring the UAM network vision to life. We’re also being thoughtful about designing our UAM network infrastructure to make sure this new technology is as accessible and efficient as possible with the goal of mass adoption. Minimizing the amount of time it takes to get to and from UAM network vertiports is equally as important as the amount of time you spend in the air.  

We know that smart planning can reduce traffic congestion and noise pollution, and improve the overall quality of life in a city’s communities. UAM presents players within the emerging eVTOL industry with the rare opportunity to create a transportation infrastructure, literally from the ground up. 

Our aim is to use data to allow us to make better decisions on building out our UAM network, including matters like where to locate vertiports in order to ensure accessibility, and how to plan routes to optimize for efficiency and minimize disruption to the daily activities happening in our communities. We also use data to look at how to pool passengers more efficiently to enable attractive fare pricing, and how to save those passengers time on their journeys. Beyond just our own operations, we also plan to use data as we work closely with our city partners to help ensure that UAM fits seamlessly into their future transit networks. UAM has the opportunity to move past the limitations that our current urban travel infrastructure imposes on our daily lives (e.g., traffic gridlock that can only be fixed by adding more lanes, which can take years to do and be very expensive).

Archer’s solution for helping it efficiently design and develop its UAM network is Prime Radiant, a system simulation framework that determines optimal vertiport networks and vehicle specifications to maximize unit economics and customer experiences. Prime Radiant is poised to help us build UAM technology and infrastructure that we believe will revolutionize the way people move in and around cities.

Powered by proprietary large-scale optimization and machine learning models, Prime Radiant allows us to better understand how people travel within cities around the world, which will inform our strategic decisions that shape our go-to-market strategy. Leading the way on the project is Jon Petersen, who, prior to Archer, led Data Science at Uber Elevate. 

Through our data modeling, Petersen and his experienced team guide decisions related to Archer’s vehicle specification requirements for speed, range and passenger capacity, a host of logistical problems (including passenger pooling, aircraft routing and battery charging decisions, and vertiport infrastructure locations and topologies) and estimating the overall market size and revenue opportunity of a particular city.

“We use Prime Radiant to better understand where to put takeoff and landing sites, what to charge for the service, and ultimately how to save people time in their commute,” Archer co-founder Brett Adcock told Aviation Today. “For takeoff and landing sites, our goal is to use existing real estate with light retrofitting whenever possible, that includes helipads and other locations such as rooftops, land parcels and parking lots.”

Many airports are typically located on the outskirts of major cities because they require large amounts of land to accommodate the runways required for commercial aircraft and to mitigate sound pollution. In addition to this, many inter-city train stations were not built in optimal locations, limiting their convenience for passengers. Empowered by the data from Prime Radiant, Archer will look to make planning decisions that can meet passengers where and how they want to travel, instead of forcing passengers to conform to infrastructure routes that were planned based on norms established decades ago. 

Prime Radiant is just one more way that Archer is ensuring that eVTOL transportation is fair, equitable and available to all passengers looking for a better way to travel.

Why Archer created Prime Radiant, its proprietary data science technology in support of its efforts to develop an eVTOL and UAM network.

Optimizing for the Third Dimension: Prime Radiant™

why Archer created Prime Radiant, its proprietary data science technology in support of its efforts to develop an eVTOL and UAM network.

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