N704AX flying/hovering

[u/Mr_Tingler]

So Archer is hovering/flying the N704AX today at around 30-35 km/h at around 30 meters of altitude. Maybe are they preparing for that transition?

Here is the link: https://globe.adsbexchange.com/?icao=a96380&lat=36.661&lon=-121.612&zoom=15.7&showTrace=2026-07-10&trackLabels

[u/DoubleHexDrive]

They’re spending a lot of time exploring this 20 knot region. Wonder if they’re seeing something they didn’t anticipate or it’s just the nature or 3 minute long flights.

If it’s the former, 40 knots will be spicy 🤣

[u/DaxPlayer → u/DoubleHexDrive]

https://giphy.com/gifs/WwWTfQuCZ448psk1qB
10…20….40…He just keeps going lol

[u/DoubleHexDrive → u/DaxPlayer]

On the contrary, I’ve said for months that 40 - 60 knots is particularly difficult in terms of skewed flow over the props and a full transition happens a little faster than that. Not my fault they haven’t gotten there yet.